Endgame: Patient Portsmouth's transfer saga of the summer - now it's finally time for Abu Kamara
The winger made 52 appearances and scored 10 goals in his 2023-24 loan season with the Blues
Abu Kamara is ready to shelve Premier League hopes and reinvigorate his career with a Fratton Park return.
The 23-year-old had been determined to force his way into Hull boss’ Sergej Jakirovic’s plans following their Championship promotion.
Presented with the tantalising opportunity of playing Premier League football for the first time in his career, the talented winger was striving to impress during pre-season, featuring in all three of their friendlies to date.
However, with the impending arrival of Leon Bailey, amid escalating transfer business at the MKM Stadium, Kamara is now poised to concede defeat and move elsewhere in the transfer window.
Pompey favoured destination
The News understands Pompey remain the favoured destination for their former loanee, who continues to hold the club in high regard following his memorable 2023-24 spell.
There is also interest from several Championship sides, including Charlton, while Rangers and clubs in Denmark and Belgium have also registered their intent.
Certainly sporting director Rich Hughes has had to be patient over the summer, with Kamara initially wanting to fight for his Hull spot after returning from a frustrating season-long loan at Getafe.
Although it represented an exciting opportunity, he would feature a disappointing 13 times as the Spanish side finished seventh in La Liga last term, starting just once.
Three pre-season appearances for Hull
Having returned to England this summer, Kamara was included on the Tigers’ recent two-match tour to Slovenia, scoring their third in a 3-0 success over Konyaspor last month.
He then appeared off the bench in the 62nd minute during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Turkish Super Lig club Kasimpasa in Istanbul.
That continued involvement in first-team friendlies had offered Kamara hope he may be considered for Premier League action in the forthcoming season.
However, the fresh realisation that outcome is now out of reach has seen examine his options - primarily an emotional Fratton Park reunion.
Overseen by new agents Concilium Sport, replacing IG Sports, moves are now underway to rectify the winger’s future as swiftly as possible as he eyes a Hull departure.
The Blues have been quietly confident of getting their long-time target throughout the summer, with Hughes, curiously speaking more of the possibility publicly than John Mousinho.
Now it appears the endgame is finally being played out, with Pompey in the strongest position of all Abu Kamara’s many admirers.
Your Next Pompey Read: 'Played out of position': Portsmouth boss pinpoints where he sees Eoin Kenny's future