Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Chelsea’s strong relationship with Ligue 1 side Monaco could be the key reason why the Blues are in a good position to sign Lamine Camara in the final days of the transfer window.
The Blues have identified Camara as a transfer target in the wake of the Enzo Fernandez saga, with him still pushing for an exit from Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Monaco chiefs had admitted they could still sell the midfielder before Tuesday’s deadline, providing the two clubs agree on a fee for his departure.
Benoit Badiashile could help Chelsea sign Lamine Camara
Chelsea have dealt with the French side on plenty of occasions in the past, notably to negotiate the signing of Benoit Badiashile back in 2023.
As per Fabrizio Romano, the strong relationship between the two clubs, stemming back to the signing of the Frenchman, has played a key part in talks for Camara getting so advanced at this late stage of the window.
Liverpool FC v AS Monaco - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
He told Market Madness: “Chelsea signed some players like Badiashile from Monaco in the past. So the relationship is very good. They were discussing about Lamine Camara as a possibility.
“My understanding is that Monaco still hope to keep the player but at the same time they are preparing for a late departure in the final days of the window because they’re talking with Pape Matar Sarr from Tottenham as potential new midfielder.”
Despite making plenty of signings from Monaco in the past, these deals have very rarely worked out in Chelsea’s favour in the long run.
Both Badiashile and Axel Disasi have left Stamford Bridge on loan this season, while previous acquisitions Falcao and Tiemoue Bakayoko also failed to live up to the hype.
Camara is not an Enzo Fernandez replacement
Statistically, Camara is very similar to Moises Caicedo, suggesting that he will not be a direct replacement for Fernandez.
The Argentine asked to be left out of League Cup action on Thursday as he pushes to get his move to Manchester City.
This would see him reunite with Enzo Maresca, who helped the Argentine produce his best goalscoring season in English football.
Goals and assists would certainly be missing should Chelsea part ways with Fernandez, and signing Camara would mean they would need to find another answer to this problem this season.