Chelsea are trying to sign a replacement for Enzo Fernandez on transfer deadline day before the Argentina international reunites with Enzo Maresca at Manchester City
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Xabi Alonso's Chelsea are running out of time to sign another midfielder this summer(Image: Getty Images)
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Lamine Camara has reportedly attended an emergency meeting at Monaco over his future on transfer deadline day.
Camara, 22, is said to have met head coach Filipe Luis with his agent in the office of the club's sporting director, Carlos Avina Ibarrola. According to Transfermarkt, KB Sport Management represents the player, with Almamy Dia listed as an agent and Kemo Barro as their executive director.
Monaco have formally rejected an opening proposal from Chelsea worth around £38.5m (€45m), including bonuses, and discussions between the two clubs remain ongoing before the transfer deadline. Camara trained with his teammates on Wednesday morning.
READ MORE: Follow our live updates on transfer deadline day as Chelsea explore incomings and outgoings!
claims a decision on the transfer is imminent in his reporting about this emergency meeting. Chelsea are not the only Premier League club that Monaco have rejected a bid from for Camara this summer, with Crystal Palace offering in the region of £30million.
Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest have also tracked the Senegal international during this transfer window. Camara now seems to be the leading candidate to replace Enzo Fernandez.
Talks are still taking place with Manchester City after the Blues rejected an opening offer for the Argentina international. He is pushing for a move.
Fernandez joining Man City would reunite him with his former head coach, Enzo Maresca. Chelsea are now trying to bring in another midfielder.
The expectation is that personal terms would not be an issue with Camara if the club can agree a fee with Monaco. The Blues' former player, Luis, made his stance clear after Sunday's match with Marseille.
Asked about Camara's future post-match, he said: "I hope to keep him." Luis continued: "You see the player that he is – unbelievable. Until the end of the transfer window, anything can happen. Everyone hopes that he stays. He is elite."
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The Brazilian coach was also full of praise for the player after their previous Ligue 1 match against Le Havre. Luis said of Camara's performance: "From everything that I saw, there is one thing that caught my eye that I have never seen 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."
Camara has made 86 appearances in Ligue 1 over the last three seasons. First for Metz, before joining Monaco.