REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
Fabrizio Romano has revealed on GIVEMESPORT's Market Madness that Chelsea have held talks with AS Monaco about signing Lamine Camara and view him as an Enzo Fernandez replacement.
Manchester City are expected to make a late move for Fernandez, and Romano has confirmed that the player is keen to reunite with Enzo Maresca at the Etihad. Xabi Alonso left the Argentine midfielder out of his matchday squad for a 2-0 win over Luton Town in the Carabao Cup midweek.
With Chelsea braced for an offer from City for Fernandez, they are exploring potential replacements and one of them is Camara. The Senegalese star has caught the eye in Ligue 1 and has been tipped for a bright future.
Romano: Chelsea in Contact With Monaco For Camara
Lamine Camara celebrating for Monaco
Chelsea have already spent big this summer bringing the likes of Morgan Rogers (£117 million) to Stamford Bridge. They have been dealing with speculation over Fernandez's future throughout the transfer window and appear to be preparing for his exit.
Romano gave an update on the Blues' interest in Camara and where their pursuit of the Monaco midfielder stands. He said on the latest episode of GIVEMESPORT's Market Madness podcast:
"Yeah he's one of the players appreciated by Chelsea. From what I'm told, there was a meeting yesterday (Thursday) between Chelsea and Monaco, a direct club-to-club meeting, to explore different opportunities. The two clubs share a very good relationship. Chelsea signed some players like (Benoit) Badiashile from Monaco in the past, so the relationship is very good."
Romano added: "They were discussing about Lamine Camara as a possibility. My understanding is that Monaco still hopes 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 are talking."
Camara is an energetic midfielder but more defensively minded than Fernandez, so Chelsea would be signing a player with a different profile. Unlike the Argentine, he is more of a holding midfielder, so not a like-for-like replacement.
Felipe Luis doesn't want to lose Camara despite interest from his former employers. The AS Monaco boss told reporters earlier this week:
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Lamine Camara in Ligue 1 last season
Matches Played
Goals Scored
Shots Taken (On Target)
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Expected Assists (xA)
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The Senegal international impressed during last year's African Cup of Nations and earned regular time at the World Cup. There's no word on how much Monaco are demanding for the 22-year-old but good relations between the two clubs could prove beneficial.
Chelsea Need Enzo Fernandez Resolution
Reuters/Matthew Childs
Chelsea can't afford to let the Fernandez transfer saga to drag on to deadline day if they have decided they are ready to sell to City. They need to demand that the Cityzens to cough up the money for the 2022 World Cup winner before next Tuesday so that they can react.
Potential Enzo Fernandez replacements
Lamine Camara (AS Monaco)
Alex Scott (Bournemouth)
Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Talks with Monaco suggest BlueCo are waiting for the inevitable and have put plans in place to deal with Fernandez's departure. At the start of the summer, many of club's fanbase were eager for him to stay but his push to join one of their Premier League rivals has caused a rift.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca celebrates with Enzo Fernandez after the match
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca celebrates with Enzo Fernandez after the match
Fernandez leaving for a big fee is now the best outcome for Alonso, as he'll want to ensure he maintains a positive atmosphere in the dressing room. Camara is the type of player who can develop into a real talent under the Spaniard, given his track record of helping youngsters grow at Bayer Leverkusen.