Abdoulaye Camara: Ajax target teenage midfield prospect after Udinese breakthrough

Abdoulaye Camara is set to join Ajax from Udinese in a deal that could eventually be worth about €15m, with the 17-year-old France youth international scheduled to undergo a medical in Amsterdam.

The agreement is reportedly for an initial loan with an almost mandatory option to buy. If the conditions attached to that option are met, Camara could remain contracted to Ajax until the middle of 2031.

The move would represent the latest step in the rapid rise of a player who has already been compared in France to Real Madrid midfielders Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, as well as Arsenal great Patrick Vieira.

Camara developed at Montpellier before attracting attention from a number of major European clubs. Juventus and several Bundesliga sides were among those interested when it became clear a year ago that he would leave the French club.

Udinese ultimately won the race, paying about €1.2m to sign him on a four-year contract running until the middle of 2029. The Italian club described him on his arrival as “one of the most promising talents in Europe”.

A measured development programme followed. Camara trained with Udinese’s first team but spent most of his time with the Primavera, the club’s reserve side, where he was also appointed captain.

His only Serie A appearance came on the penultimate matchday of the previous season. He was introduced with 11 minutes remaining in a 1-0 defeat by Cremonese.

Udinese worked with him physically, tactically and technically as he prepared for senior football, but after just one season the midfielder appears ready to move on. Ajax, where head coach Michel Sanchez is understood to favour the development of a modern number six, is his likely destination.

Camara’s international record has also helped build his reputation. He has represented France at Under-16, Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 level, and captained the Under-17 team.

He was particularly impressive at the Under-17 World Cup, being named player of the match twice in five appearances. He has since progressed to France Under-21 level.

At 1.83m, Camara has an athletic frame that gives him a notable physical presence despite his age. A defensive midfielder by training, he combines strength with technical ability and can cover significant ground, compete in challenges and use the ball confidently.

He is not reluctant to carry possession forward when the opportunity arises. His positioning is one of his most valued qualities: he anticipates danger, blocks passing lanes and often gets in front of opponents at the right moment.

His height helps him compete in the air, while his power allows him to win the ball. However, his intensity remains an area for improvement. As is often the case with young midfielders, his aggression can occasionally work against him.

Camara is not simply a player who wins possession and recycles it with safe sideways or backward passes. He is viewed as a genuine “number six” who should be able to organise the first phase of a team’s build-up.

His attacking contribution is less developed. He rarely, if ever, finds himself in scoring positions from open play, although he can pose a threat from set-pieces.

Scouts have been impressed by more than his physical and technical qualities. Camara’s mentality has also stood out, with his leadership responsibilities at international level and at Udinese coming despite his age.

His decision to take a gradual route through Udinese, rather than immediately joining one of the bigger clubs interested in him at Montpellier, has reinforced that impression.

Ajax’s precise plans for Camara, set by technical director Jordi Cruijff, have yet to be established. Given his limited senior experience, he could begin his time in Amsterdam with the club’s youth teams.

Even so, a possible package worth €15m for a 17-year-old would underline the scale of Ajax’s belief in his potential.