Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara has broken his silence on his collapsed Chelsea transfer, after links emerged with Liverpool after deadline day earlier this month
Lamine Camara almost joined Chelsea during the summer transfer window
Lamine Camara almost joined Chelsea during the summer transfer window(Image: Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
Lamine Camara, the Monaco midfielder who almost joined Chelsea at the end of the summer transfer window and was subsequently linked with Liverpool, has broken his silence on his Premier League switch falling through.
Initially, Chelsea had reached a full agreement with Monaco regarding the midfielder. The move was set to be worth around $63 million (£47 million), but the plug was pulled late on. The Ligue 1 side thought that Folarin Balogun was going to move to Everton, and so it didn't need to cash in on another player, but both ended up staying put in the end.
"There was a possibility I could leave," he said ahead of Monaco's draw with Strasbourg on Saturday. "It didn't go through at the last minute, and that's part of football. I've turned the page and am focusing on the season."
"I can help the team a lot," the Senegal international added. "Football moves fast. Maybe other opportunities will come along. But for now, I'm staying focused on the season with Monaco.
"There was the possibility [of me joining Chelsea]. At the last minute, it didn’t happen. These things happen.
"Take Julian Alvarez with Atletico Madrid, for example. It happens all over the world, and I’m trying to put that behind me as quickly as possible to focus on the season."
Camara has been linked with a move to Liverpool
Camara has been linked with a move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
According to The Athletic, Camara was a top option for Liverpool had Alexis Mac Allister departed this summer. However, the Argentine made clear last week his desire to stay.
"There was a chance (I could have left the club in the summer)," Mac Allister admitted before the Reds beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
"As everyone knows, I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract, which makes me very, very sad. Everyone can see I give my 100 percent for this football club, every single day in training and games. Of course, I can have very good games, very bad games like everyone. I always give my best.
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"And I see Dominik (Szoboszlai) and Ryan (Gravenberch) renewing their contracts, and that makes me very happy because they deserve it, but at the same time, it makes me a little bit sad that I didn't get mine.
"Of course, there is still time. The fans don't need to worry because I will give my 100 percent until the last day I'm here.
"We will see what happens. There were options to leave this summer, and I think right now I'm in the right club and I have the mindset to give my 100 percent for this club."
Liverpool.com says: Camara appears to be one to watch for the future. If the Reds need a midfielder in January or beyond, there is a good chance that the 22-year-old will be on the move somewhere.