Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
In a complete twist of fate, Chelsea have now agreed a very late move to sign Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara with the two parties finally agreeing a fee for the Senegal star.
It was believed that Chelsea were going to fail in their bid to bring in a replacement for Camara. The 22-year-old was the subject of a £38.5m offer earlier on deadline day, before Enzo Fernandez’s departure.
But talks between Chelsea and Monaco could not engineer a deal for Camara. However, Everton have just played a huge role in Chelsea finally securing a deal for Camara, after complications in a medical tonight.
Everton were set to sign Folarin Balogun for around £40m. But a failed medical has resulted in Monaco requiring a quick sale and Chelsea have picked up the phone again, improving their offer to £47m.
Coventry City v AS Monaco - Pre-Season Friendly
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Fabrizio Romano and others confirm Lamine Camara deal agreed
Moments after it had emerged that Everton had failed to get a deal for Balogun done, and were not targeting Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee, it emerged that Chelsea and Monaco had agreed a £47m deal.
An incredible turnaround of events that finally sees Chelsea bring in a replacement for Enzo Fernandez at this late stage – if Chelsea can rush through a medical and the paperwork, as per Fabrizio Romano.
“Chelsea agree deal in principle to sign Lamine Camara, here we go! Fee worth €55m and authorization to travel for medical. Initial agreement done, running to complete medical and formal steps in time.”
A remarkable turnaround in events. Filipe Luis wanted to keep Camara but it does not look as though he has got his wish at this late stage, with Chelsea set to sign “one of the best midfielders in the world”.