SV Ried join race to sign Guinea defender Mamady Mara

Guinea international Mamady Mara has emerged as a transfer target for Austrian Bundesliga newcomers SV Ried, with the club reportedly stepping up its interest in the Horoya AC defender ahead of the new season.

According to exclusive information from Africasoccer, the Austrian side has begun evaluating the conditions required to complete a deal for the young left-back during the current summer transfer window.

The latest development adds another European club to the growing list of teams monitoring the highly rated defender, whose performances with Horoya AC have continued to attract attention beyond Guinea.

Mara enjoyed an impressive campaign with the Guinean champions, establishing himself as one of the league’s most promising defenders.

A product of the Antonio Souaré Football Academy (AFAS), the left-back has earned recognition for his defensive consistency, composure on the ball and potential for further development.

Those qualities have helped increase his reputation, making him one of Horoya AC’s standout young talents.

Despite SV Ried’s interest, the Austrian club is not alone in the race for his signature.

Reports indicate that several clubs across Europe continue to monitor Mara’s progress closely.

In France, both Le Havre AC and Monaco remain interested in the defender, while clubs in Croatia have also been tracking his development.

Belgian side Cercle Brugge is another club reported to be following the Guinean full-back as competition for his signature continues to grow.

While interest from Europe has intensified, one option has now been ruled out.

Africasoccer previously reported that Sudanese club Al Hilal Omdurman had attempted to sign Mara after submitting an offer worth approximately $250,000 to Horoya AC.

Although negotiations between the parties progressed, the move ultimately failed to materialise, with Al Hilal withdrawing from discussions.

The collapse of those talks has shifted attention back to Europe, where interest in the defender remains strong.

Horoya AC are now understood to favour a European destination for Mara, believing such a move would provide the best environment for the next stage of his career.

Among the clubs pursuing the defender, SV Ried appears to be one of the most active as it assesses the possibility of bringing the Guinea international to Austria.

With several teams still monitoring the situation, Mara’s future remains one of the transfer stories to watch during the remainder of the summer window as European interest in the Horoya AC defender continues to gather momentum.