Liverpool’s summer transfer window may be over, but I don’t think we’ve heard the last of Lamine Camara.
In fact, if the latest reports are accurate, the Monaco midfielder could be one of the most interesting names to watch when the January transfer window opens.
Camara was incredibly close to joining Chelsea on deadline day.
He reportedly completed his medical before the proposed £47 million move collapsed at the final moment.
Now he is back at Monaco.
But Liverpool could still be very much on his mind.
Camara still sees Liverpool as the right project
The latest information suggests that Camara remains convinced he can eventually complete a move to Anfield.
Those close to the Senegal international reportedly believe he sees Liverpool as the right long-term project for his career.
And I can understand why.
Liverpool need midfielders who can handle the intensity of the Premier League while also offering technical quality and energy.
Camara appears to fit that profile.
He is only 22, already a full Senegal international and has experience playing at a high level in Ligue 1.
The potential is obvious.
Chelsea’s loss could become Liverpool’s opportunity
This is where the situation becomes fascinating.
Camara looked set to become a Chelsea player.
He had completed his medical.
The transfer was reportedly worth around £47 million.
Then Monaco pulled the plug.
From Liverpool’s perspective, that could eventually create an opportunity.
The Reds had been monitoring Camara for months and were previously regarded as a serious potential destination if they decided they needed another midfielder.
And after the way Liverpool’s summer ended, I certainly wouldn’t rule out that need developing.
Liverpool still have a midfield question
This is one of the biggest issues for me.
I’ve already said that I believe Liverpool should have signed another midfielder this summer.
The club didn’t.
That means Iraola has to work with the options currently available to him.
Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and the other midfield options will have to cope with the demands of the Premier League, Champions League and domestic competitions.
If injuries hit, or if the midfield doesn’t provide the balance Iraola wants, Liverpool could find themselves revisiting the position in January.
And that’s where Camara could suddenly become very interesting.
Imagine Camara arriving in January
I’m not saying this is going to happen.
There is no agreement between Liverpool and Camara.
Monaco remain in a strong negotiating position.
But imagine Liverpool reach January and decide they need exactly the type of midfielder Camara represents.
The player already knows that Liverpool are interested.
Liverpool already know plenty about him.
And, according to the latest information, Camara would be open to the move.
That could give the Reds a head start.
But Monaco won’t make it easy
This is probably the biggest obstacle.
Monaco were prepared to sell Camara for around £47 million to Chelsea before withdrawing from the agreement.
So why would they suddenly accept less from Liverpool?
They wouldn’t have to.
If Camara has an excellent first half of the season, his value could even increase.
Liverpool would therefore need to decide whether they are prepared to pay what Monaco demand.
And this is where I would be interested to see how the club’s new structure approaches the situation.
Amit Bhatia could have an interesting role
The report also brings Amit Bhatia into the story.
Bhatia is set to join Liverpool’s board as vice-chairman once the minority investment from 1892 Holdings receives full approval.
The expectation is that Liverpool will take a measured look at the squad during the winter rather than automatically rushing into the market.
For me, that’s exactly what they should do.
Don’t buy somebody simply because January has arrived.
Watch the team.
Watch the injuries.
Watch the performances.
See what Iraola actually needs.
Then act.
And Camara could be the answer
This is why I find the Camara situation so interesting.
Liverpool don’t necessarily need to decide today whether he is the right player.
They can spend the next few months finding out.
If Gravenberch and Mac Allister stay fit and the midfield looks excellent, perhaps Liverpool decide they can wait until the summer.
If the midfield struggles or injuries leave Iraola short, the situation could change completely.
And if Camara continues to impress at Monaco, Liverpool could decide that January is the right moment.
That’s a much more sensible way of approaching the market.
I still think Liverpool should have signed him this summer
Having said all that, I still have a nagging feeling that Liverpool missed an opportunity.
I’ve already made my feelings about the transfer window clear.
I would give it 4/10.
One of my biggest criticisms was that Liverpool didn’t add another midfielder.
Camara was available.
Liverpool knew about him.
And they apparently remained interested.
Instead, they decided against making the move.
Perhaps they had their reasons.
Perhaps they genuinely believed they didn’t need him yet.
Perhaps they believed a future opportunity would be better.
But now we could find out whether that gamble pays off.
January could tell us a lot
The next few months could completely change this story.
Camara could have an outstanding season and become even more expensive.
He could struggle and Liverpool could decide against the move.
Liverpool’s midfield could prove perfectly capable of handling the demands placed upon it.
Or an injury could suddenly make another midfielder a priority.
That’s why I wouldn’t describe this as a Liverpool transfer at this stage.
It’s a situation to monitor.
But it’s certainly one I will be watching.
Could Camara finally become a Liverpool player?
That’s the question.
His move to Chelsea collapsed at the last moment.
He returned to Monaco.
Liverpool remain a club he has reportedly been open to joining.
And Liverpool still have a midfield question that could become increasingly important as the season develops.
If Iraola decides he needs another midfielder, Camara could suddenly move from being a name Liverpool have monitored…
to a genuine January target.
And if the latest reports about his preference are accurate, Liverpool may already have one important advantage.
The player reportedly wants them.
Now Liverpool have to decide whether they want him badly enough to make it happen.
Lamine Camara to Liverpool in January?
I certainly wouldn’t rule it out.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
### _Related_