Chelsea are in the market for a new midfielder ahead of deadline day on Tuesday, and Lamine Camara has emerged as a potential option for Xabi Alonso.
Headcoach of Monaco Filipe LUIS and Lamine CAMARA of Monaco celebrates the victory during the UEFA Europa Conference League 2026/2027 - Playoffs, second leg match between Monaco and Gornik at Stade Louis II on August 27, 2026 in Monaco, Monaco
Lamine Camara has been linked with a move to Chelsea(Image: Photo by Daniel Derajinski/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
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If Xabi Alonso needs convincing why Chelsea should sign Lamine Camara, he only needs to take a quick glance at his list of glowing references. The Monaco midfielder has recently been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge as the Blues prepare for the potential departure of Enzo Fernandez.
football.london understands that Chelsea are interested in signing Camara, whose contract at the Stade Louis II expires in June 2029. The 22-year-old has been offered to the Blues, as well as to Liverpool, as a late-market opportunity ahead of deadline day on Tuesday.
The Reds are also keen on Camara, having sold Curtis Jones to Inter Milan earlier this month, as Andoni Iraola looks to bolster his options in the middle of the park. As it stands in west London, it remains to be seen whether a move for the Senegal international hinges on the departure of their vice-captain.
football.london understands that Manchester City are interested in signing Fernandez, with Enzo Maresca keen to reunite at the Etihad Stadium. However, as of Friday lunchtime, Stamford Bridge sources insist there has been no direct club-to-club contact with the Cityzens.
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Nevertheless, Camara has emerged as a potential target for Chelsea, and Alonso has already been told exactly what he wants to hear. Back in April, Lukas Hradecky described the Senegalese star as 'one of the best players' at Monaco.
The 36-year-old goalkeeper, who featured 107 times for the Blues manager at Bayer Leverkusen,more than anyone else in his career, and was key to winning the Bundesliga unbeaten in 2024, told reporters : "I don’t think he receives the recognition he deserves.
"Ever since winning the Africa Cup of Nations, I believe he has been one of our best players. So yes, Denis Zakaria has occasionally played a bit deeper in central defence, but the midfield is performing very well.
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"And Lamine Camara is one of our key players in our current resurgence. I hope he stays fit. It is a pleasure to see him on the pitch and in the dressing room. He has character and is a great player for us."
Then, as early as last week, Filipe Luis claimed he's not seen a player like Camara in two decades. The Monaco boss featured over 700 professional games, establishing himself as one of the best left-backs of the 2010 era, winning a wealth of silverware with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea.
Towards the end of Luis' playing career, he returned to Brazil and won it all with Flamengo. Then, the former Blues became the head coach of the Brazilian giants; he was just as successful on the dugout, winning all there was to win, bar the Club World Cup last year.
Head coach Filipe Luis after winning the FIFA Derby of the Americas 2025 match between Cruz Azul and CR Flamengo at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on December 10, 2025 in Doha, Qatar
Filipe Luis after winning the FIFA Derby of the Americas 2025(Image: Photo by Tullio Puglia - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Interestingly, as early as May, football.london understands that Luis joined Alonso on Chelsea's shortlist of options to become the new gaffer. The 41-year-old was later picked up by Monaco.
Speaking to reporters following a 1-0 win over Le Havre on the opening weekend of the new Ligue 1 campaign, Luis heaped great praise on Camara. He said: "From everything that I saw, there is one thing that caught my eye.
"I have never seen that in 20 years; it's Lamine Camara. He is a 'different' player from what I've seen so far. His ability to manage things on the pitch and his concentration. He has a level that is way, way above average."
Whether it's an ally of Alonso or a previous managerial candidate, Chelsea have no reason to doubt the potential signing of Camara...