Xabi Alonso on the touchline during Chelsea's friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers
Chelsea's proposed deadline day move for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara has fallen through.
A £47million deal had been agreed for the Senegalese midfielder to move to Stamford Bridge on a six-year contract just before the transfer window's 11pm deadline.
Lamine Camara playing for Monaco in pre-season4
Lamine Camara's move to Chelsea has spectacularly collapsed in the dying moments of deadline day
However, a late twist has now seen the Ligue 1 side pull out of the deal, with Chelsea missing out on Camara's signature, as well as a direct replacement for the departed Enzo Fernandez.
And the collapsed move appears to have come about in dramatic circumstances, with Premier League rivals Liverpool understood to have had an impact on proceedings.
According to talkSPORT's Ben Jacobs, the Reds instructed Camara to wait, suggesting a move for the 22-year-old could be forthcoming next summer.
talkSPORT understands Liverpool did not directly interfere with the negotiations between Chelsea and Monaco.
Monaco turned their back on a deal, leaving Chelsea infuriated.
A Blues source told talkSPORT: "Monaco have acted in a deeply unprofessional away."
Jacobs also revealed that Monaco are now looking for an increased £60m fee to part with Camara.
Chelsea miss out on midfield target
Chelsea had looked set to bolster their midfield with Camara's proposed arrival, as they prepared to replace Enzo Fernandez.
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After months of speculation surrounding his future, the Argentina star's joint-Premier League record £125million transfer to Manchester City was confirmed minutes after the 11pm transfer deadline passed,
There had been plenty of uncertainty over Camara's Monaco departure before a fee was agreed with Chelsea, with teammate Folarin Balogun's proposed move to Everton having a major impact.
Enzo Fernandez playing for Chelsea4
Camara had been lined up as a replacement for Fernandez, who has joined Man City
Folarin Balogun celebrates scoring for Monaco4
Camara will be going nowhere for the time being
Needing to sell players to balance the books, complications over Balogun's departure left the Ligue 1 side sweating over a much-needed sale, only for another dramatic late U-turn.
Now, with Camara set to remain in French football, this has paved the way for Everton to complete the deadline day signing of the USA international.
As for Chelsea, the late turnaround sees them end the transfer window without securing the signing of an extra midfielder.
Roma's Manu Kone had also emerged as a potential option, but talkSPORT revealed that the Serie A side's manager Gian Piero Gasperini was blocking a departure for the Frenchman.
It marked an eventful transfer deadline day for Chelsea, which began with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez joining Como on loan.
The goalkeeper had been bumped down to Stamford Bridge following the arrival of Emi Martinez from Aston Villa.
Lamine Camara deal off graphic4
Lamine Camara will be going nowhere for the time being
Elsewhere, midfielder Dario Essugo completed a season-long loan move to sister club Strasbourg, after a move to Hull fell through.
But after the biggest business saw Fernandez finally join Man City, Chelsea are left seething after failing to land their ideal replacement in Camara at the 11th hour.