Marseille’s talented young defender Boubacar Kamara has ended speculation on his future, at least in the short-term, by signing his first professional contract – a three-year deal with the Ligue 1 side.

L’Equipe reported that Bundesliga clubs Schalke 04 and FC Cologne, as well as Arsenal, were all interested in the 17-year-old’s services.

Chelsea and Manchester City were just two of the Premier League sides linked with Kamara’s signature last season and Rudi Garcia’s eagerness to keep hold of their prized asset was made public midway through the season.

“We want to keep him, but we’ll know what he’s worth when he’s able to get back into the team. What we think is that he has potential, he is a player of the future. If he wants to continue or not with OM, it will be his choice. But I think there’s consensus to keep him from us,” Garcia said at the time.

Having made his senior debut at right-back during their penalty defeat by Sochaux in the Coupe de la Ligue, it’s more than likely he’ll get extended opportunities to feature in the first-team next season.

Captain of the club’s u19 side, he has already made 17 appearances for France at youth-team level and will be promoted into the senior side properly ahead of pre-season.

It’s a welcome boost for L’OM, but a significant blow for Arsenal considering their lack of quality in terms of defensive depth at youth level.

Ben Sheaf and Krystian Bielik were both converted into centre-backs and whilst they’ve impressed alongside each other, they are now at the age where they should be playing regular football within a more competitive environment.

Granted, Kamara finds himself in a similar situation but now would’ve been the perfect time for the Gunners to sign him before his price skyrockets.