Former Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has reportedly been trying to convince Lamine Camara to join him in the Premier League. The 22-year-old AS Monaco midfielder is still highly rated at Stamford Bridge and a summer move to the Blues is still a possibility.
The report comes six weeks after Chelsea’s deadline-day swoop for the midfielder collapsed in spectacular fashion. The Blues had agreed a £47m deal, and the Senegal international had even passed a medical before Monaco pulled out at the eleventh hour.
Camara was set to be the replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who joined Manchester City for a reported £125m on the same day. The failed deal has left Xabi Alonso without a direct midfield replacement, an issue that has carried into the new season.
Jackson, who joined Aston Villa from Chelsea in a deal worth up to £65m in August, has a close relationship with Camara. The pair played together for Senegal at the 2026 World Cup, and the striker has helped his compatriot to come to terms with the collapsed move.
Despite the disappointment, Camara has no intention of forcing a move away from the principality. Reports say his representatives will consider all options when the time comes, with the midfielder playing 90 minutes in every Monaco club game this season.
The 22-year-old scored three goals and provided four assists in Ligue 1 last season before starring at the World Cup. Chelsea, however, will not have an easy run at the midfielder, with Liverpool telling his representatives they will pursue him next summer if he is on the market.
Earlier reports, however, painted a different picture, with Football365 claiming that the incident has soured relations between the two clubs. The Blues, currently sixth in the Premier League with 10 points, have also been linked with Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong ahead of the January window.
Lamine Camara Breaks Silence On Collapsed Chelsea Move
Lamine Camara has already moved on from his failed bid to join Chelsea and made it clear his focus is firmly back on Monaco. The Senegalese midfielder was on the verge of a dream move to the Premier League before the deal collapsed at the eleventh hour.
Rather than dwelling on the disappointment, the 22-year-old has worked hard to move on from the incident, showing professionalism. Discussing the collapse when he spoke to the media last month, Camara said:
“There was a possibility I could leave. 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.”