Chelsea’s proposed deadline-day move for AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara fell through on Tuesday night. A £47million deal had been agreed for the Senegal international to join Xabi Alonso’s side on a six-year contract.
However, Monaco pulled out of the move late in the day. Liverpool reportedly played a role in the collapse, with the Reds understood to have instructed Camara to wait, potentially paving the way for a move to Anfield next summer.
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Chelsea had planned to use Camara as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, whose £125million move to Manchester City was confirmed shortly after the 11pm deadline.
Camara’s departure had already been complicated by Folarin Balogun’s failed move to Everton, which left Monaco reluctant to sanction another exit.
Monaco manager Filipe Luis has since admitted that Lamine Camara is “probably affected” by the failed transfer. The former Chelsea defender said: “Probably, with everything, there is something in his mind that is affected. But, honestly, he is a special kid; he is a very special person.
“It is easy to work with him. The football world knows about Lamine. Other clubs are looking at him. If he just maintains [his level], it won’t just be one club – all the big clubs will come for him.“
Filipe Luis has confirmed that the 22-year-old will serve as one of his vice-captains this season alongside Eric Dier and Lukas Hradecky. Denis Zakaria remains the club captain.
Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro has since explained why Camara and Folarin Balogun’s proposed Premier League transfers fell through.
“During the day, we had a clear agreement for Balogun to go to Everton,” Scuro said. “Balogun flew yesterday morning to go for medicals and sign a contract.
“Balogun, besides the salary, was also an important source of income for the club, which would help us also to balance the season. And then, Lamine [was] staying.
“This was what we had until mid-afternoon. What happened is that Chelsea was always testing and trying. What about Lamine? What about Lamine? I’ve been talking to them for the last ten days.
“Around 4pm yesterday, we got a contact from Chelsea. Okay, we sold a player in this position (Enzo Fernandez). Deal done. Is there any possibility that Monaco is open to selling Lamine? The answer was the same. No, it’s not.
“At this moment, at 4pm Balogun was in Liverpool undergoing his medical. Everything was going pretty well. Around 7pm, we were contacted by Everton, raising questions about Balogun’s medical, which, for our medical staff, as well as for the player’s personal medical staff, made no sense at all.
“The explanations were not enough to justify or to bring concerns regarding the future of the player, which there aren’t. This discussion started between medical departments from here and there.”
“Of course, Chelsea saw an opportunity,” Scuro added. “‘Monaco need money, Balogun is struggling there, let’s go and try.’ Chelsea called us and said: ‘Maybe we can be the solution.’ At that moment, we had to open the door to discussions.”
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