Chelsea are no longer in the race to sign Lamine Camara, as emerging reports have revealed. Following their deadline-day deal, which went wrong back in September, the West London club have been frustrated that Monaco acted inappropriately. They have had no contact with the Ligue 1 outfit over the transfer since.
The news marks the cooling of the transfer speculation that has surrounded the 22-year-old over the past months. It brings an end to the recent reports that Chelsea would return for the Senegal international in January or next summer. As we reported here earlier in the month, former Blues striker Nicolas Jackson has long urged his compatriot to make a move to the Premier League. Camara’s move to Stamford Bridge was always on the cards until the collapsed transfer.
Chelsea had agreed a fee of €55m (£47m) with the French club, having seen prior offers of €45m and €50m rejected. With the deal progressing smoothly, Monaco then pulled out of the move despite a written agreement having been reached. This angered the Blues, and the relationship between the two clubs remains sour.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are long-term admirers of the Senegal international and could move for him in January if the right opportunity presents itself. Separate reports claim that Monaco now value the player at around €70m, while his contract is due to run until 2029.
Looking further ahead, the Blues have already turned their attention back to the transfer market, where Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is still high on their radar. The London outfit also intends to sign 20-year-old Moroccan winger Gessime Yassine from Strasbourg.
Filipe LuĂs hails Camara: “He embodies the future of the game”
Despite the interest from across the Channel, Camara has spoken highly of his time with Ligue 1 club Monaco since initially joining from Metz in July 2024 for a fee of €15m. Having come through the Génération Foot academy in Senegal, the midfielder’s journey so far has not followed the traditional route.
Nevertheless, Monaco manager Filipe LuĂs, who previously played at Stamford Bridge, has been one of the most outspoken figures in praising the rising star’s talents. In late August, following a 1-0 victory at Le Havre, LuĂs said he had “never seen anything like it” in his twenty-year career.
More recently, he compared the 22-year-old to the players of the future, saying:
“In twenty years’ time, we may well see plenty of players like him. He can run a marathon, play for ninety minutes without ever letting up, whilst playing football. He embodies the future of the game.”
Camara, who has insisted he has put the disappointment of his transfer behind him, has spoken about the importance of focusing on helping Monaco do well this season.