Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Chelsea have owner Behdad Eghbali to thank for securing the late signing of Lamine Camara, potentially saving his reputation among supporters of the club.
There was a real fear the Blues were not going to sign a replacement for Enzo Fernandez after a deal was finally agreed on deadline day for him to join Manchester City.
This would have seen Chelsea miss out on around eight options that they held a serious interest in, including Camara as he looked set to stay at Monaco.
Behdad Eghbali responsible for Chelsea signing Lamine Camara
However, Folarin Balogun failing his medical with Everton reinforced the Ligue 1 side’s need to sell a key player this summer, allowing Chelsea to swoop in.
Ben Jacobs has reported that it was Eghbali who drove Chelsea to the deal, perhaps sensing there would be uproar if they were not able to get another midfielder over the line.
Liverpool FC v AS Monaco - Pre-Season Friendly
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He said: “Chelsea agree a deal to sign Lamine Camara. €55m fixed. No add-ons. 6+1 contract. Deal driven by Behdad Eghbali. Camara deal was looking all but off, but doubts over Flo Balogun’s move to Everton made Monaco need a sale.
“Chelsea swooped in, and they now get a midfielder following the departure of Enzo Fernandez. Crazy deadline day saga.”
The Blues may well have saved a bit of money by signing Camara this late in the day, after being quoted a far higher transfer fee when the Balogun deal to Everton fell through.
Some supporters will still point to the talent of the likes of Adam Wharton and Alex Scott as quality players with Premier League experience who they have missed out on by leaving it this late.
However, the addition of Camara will go some way to putting those worries to bed, and give Xabi Alonso a brilliant midfield option to utilise at Stamford Bridge this season.