Chelsea are working on a deal for Monaco star Lamine Camara during transfer deadline day
Lamine Camara of Monaco
Chelsea are targeting a late move for Monaco star Lamine Camara(Image: ALAIN JOCARD / AFP via Getty Images)
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Chelsea are targeting a move for Monaco star Lamine Camara on transfer deadline day. Manager Xabi Alonso is looking to add to his midfield options before the summer window shuts.
AS Monaco have rejected Chelsea’s opening £38.5million bid for Camara, including bonuses, football.london understands . It was previously reported that talks between Chelsea and Monaco were progressing well after the Blues were given the opportunity to pursue the midfielder.
Chelsea are determined to strengthen in midfield and Camara is not seen as a direct replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who continues to be linked with a move to Manchester City. Talks remain ongoing with Monaco over a deal for Camara, who trained with the French club on Tuesday, but Chelsea face a race to complete the move before the deadline.
READ MORE: Follow our live updates on transfer deadline day as Chelsea explore incomings and outgoings!
Camara has also attracted interest from Liverpool, Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace this summer, with the latter having a £30m offer rejected. Here is a closer look at the Chelsea target.
The 22-year-old began his professional career with Senegalese club Generation Foot, whose academy is famed for producing former Liverpool star Sadio Mane, among others. Through the club’s partnership with Metz, Camara joined the French club in February 2023.
After gaining promotion to Ligue 1, Camara enjoyed his breakthrough season the following year, prompting Moanco to snap him up for around £12m in 2024. Despite his age, Camara soon became a regular and has clocked up 75 appearances during his two years at the club, scoring seven goals.
Upson signing Camara, Monaco’s club website described him as a box-to-box player and listed his idols as being Kevin De Bruyne, Toni Kroos and Idrissa Gueye. A versatile midfielder, he can handle his defensive duties and progress the ball. Monaco also highlighted the stunning goal he had scored against them for Metz, remarkably firing the ball into the net from 63 yards out.
On the international stage, Camara made his senior debut for Senegal in 2023. He has represented his country at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the 2026 World Cup.
However, Camara was notably left heartbroken after Senegal were eliminated from AFCON in the round of 16 by Ivory Coast in 2024. A late Franck Kessie equaliser had denied Senegal victory before the same midfielder also scored the decisive spot kick in a penalty shootout.
A limping Camara appeared inconsolable after the round of 16 defeat. The young midfielder was picked up and carried down the tunnel by former Palace and West Ham United star Cheikhou Kouyate as Camara covered his face with a towel to hide his tears.
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