Ex-Chelsea star Denis Zakaraia says Lamine Camara should snub a Premier League transfer after the Stamford Bridge side moved for him and there were persistent Liverpool links
AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara.
AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara.(Image: Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images)
Former Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria says he has actively encouraged AS Monaco teammate Lamine Camara to turn down a move to Stamford Bridge.
Xabi Alonso's side looked set to seal a move for Camara at the end of the summer transfer window when a deal worth around $63 million (£47 million) was agreed. However, it fell through at the last minute, with Liverpool having since been tipped to hold an interest in the player next year.
Zakaria, though, believes that staying at Monaco would be best for Camara, the 22-year-old defensive midfielder who has been earning rave reviews for his performances with the Ligue 1 side.
"Chelsea? I told him that it was good but that it is better here," Zakaria told reporters after Monaco won 2-1 against Lens on Friday.
"I know the player and the person that he is; he is very professional. I think that [the transfer saga] has given him even more strength. He was incredible today."
Liverpool sold Curtis Jones to Inter Milan during the summer, but opted to bump Trey Nyoni up the pecking order rather than sign a replacement. The 19-year-old has made a big impression on Andoni Iraola so far.
Vitinha of PSG is challenged by Lamine Camara of AS Monaco.
Vitinha of PSG is challenged by Lamine Camara of AS Monaco.(Image: Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
"There was a possibility I could leave," Camara admitted before Monaco played Strasbourg earlier this month.
"But 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."
Monaco needed to make a major sale this summer and it looked like Folarin Balogun would be moving to Everton. When that deal was still on, Camara could stay.
When that broke down, however, it was too late for Camara to leave, and so both players ended up staying in the principality.
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"I can help the team a lot," Camara added. "Football moves fast. Maybe other opportunities will come along. But for now, I'm staying focused on the season with Monaco."
Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro described the decision to end negotiations with Chelsea as "part of the game."
He later added that he had spoken to Camara to reassure him that he would secure a major transfer "very soon" and that he may even have "even better options" in the future.
Liverpool.com says: Camara looks like a real talent, but the most obvious player for him to replace at Anfield would be Alexis Mac Allister. He has started the season brilliantly.