Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Chelsea are expected to remain in the market for a major midfielder signing with less than a fortnight left in the transfer window, amid reports Enzo Fernandez could leave Stamford Bridge.
Since Fernandez’s return to Cobham at the start of last week, City’s interest in the World Cup winner has intensified. While City failed to meet last Friday’s deadline, Enzo Maresca’s men remain very interested.
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Indeed, the sales of Rodri to Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders to Brendan Rodgers’ Al Qadsiyah have put City in a much better position to sign Fernandez, financially. Chelsea have rejected a £115m City bid.
But it feels inevitable that City will meet Chelsea’s asking price in due course. If, and possibly, when they do, Chelsea will need a replacement for Fernandez and one signing could be Monaco’s Lamine Camara.
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At the start of the summer, it was reported that Monaco needed to sell. As things stand, Monaco have raised the best part of £100m following the sales of Magnes Akliouche, Aladji Bamba and more.
Having rejected a £43m bid from Crystal Palace for Camara, it was believed Monaco were under no pressure to sell the Senegal ace. However, that does not appear to be the case, as per Romain Molina.
Lamine Camara of Senegal controls the ball
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
The investigative reporter, who has worked for The BBC, The Athletic and other reputable sites says that Monaco still require sales: “AS Monaco still needs to sell players to bring in cash this summer.”
While Chelsea might have been under the impression that Monaco did not need to sell, it is now clear that Monaco need cash, and as the window goes on, Camara’s price tag may go down to force a sale.
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Fernandez has often played as the attacking option in a double pivot alongside Moises Caicedo. But with Chelsea set to use a 3-4-2-1 system, it becomes more important that Caicedo’s partner is more defensive.
Enzo Fernandez and Enzo Maresca hugging graphic
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Not a defensive midfielder, but one that can do a bit of both. Former Chelsea star Filipe Luis, who is now Camara’s manager, recently described him as “one of the best midfielders in the world”, and he’s right.
That’s because Camara can do a bit of everything. He can score goals, he can create them, but he can also provide a defensive screen in front of the back four. Monaco’s star is an old-school midfield throwback.
Reports say Monaco want £51m for 22-year-old Camara. If Chelsea sell Fernandez and replace him with Camara, it will see the Blues replenish the £350m spent this summer, while replacing the Argentine well.