Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso
Chelsea have decided to walk away from a January deal for AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara despite nearly signing him on deadline day. Instead, the Blues want to bring Bournemouth star Alex Scott to Stamford Bridge in the winter window.
Chelsea have changed their minds over who should fill the gap in Xabi Alonso’s midfield this winter. According to Football365, club chiefs have decided against going back in for AS Monaco playmaker Lamine Camara. Instead, Bournemouth standout Alex Scott now tops the shortlist at Stamford Bridge. Landing the young Englishman has become the main goal for the January window.
Lamine Camara
Liverpool could have a clearer path to signing Lamine Camara as Chelsea shifts its focus elsewhere. [Image via BBC]
That shift comes as a surprise after how close Camara came to wearing blue in August. Chelsea had lined him up to replace Enzo Fernandez when the Argentine joined Manchester City for £125m on deadline day. However, Monaco pulled the plug because they only wanted to sell one star and focused on Folarin Balogun’s exit. In the end, neither player left France.
🚨🔵 | Chelsea has no moral justification of signing Lamine Camara when we have a better defensive midfielder in Dario Essugo. AKA baby Caicedo.
Camara isn’t a big level headed of Essugo. Doing well in the French league doesn’t exactly equal doing good in the premier league.… pic.twitter.com/Y9ynbVSltU
— NATURE_CFC (@Natureryme1) November 1, 2026
Speaking to Football Insider, reporter Pete O’Rourke confirmed that the West London club has moved on. He said, “Camara was very close to joining Chelsea in the summer transfer window before that collapsed at the eleventh hour.” O’Rourke added, “I think they are looking at other targets instead and have moved on from that deal.” Because of that, Liverpool has a clear run at Camara.
Chelsea’s withdrawal from the Lamine Camara race clears Liverpool’s path to January talks—but Monaco value the 22-year-old at up to €70m, with his contract running to 2029. The price could shape this transfer battle.
https://t.co/OOpnhZJItS
— Azat TV (@azattelevision) November 1, 2026
Glen Johnson Urges Alex Scott To Pick Liverpool Over Chelsea
Still, signing Scott from Bournemouth will not be simple for Chelsea either. Andoni Iraola of Liverpool also admires the Cherries’ midfielder after spending the summer fixing their backline and forward line. Furthermore, former Blues defender Glen Johnson believes the youngster should head to Anfield rather than West London. His verdict will not please supporters at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea reach ‘final decision’ on signing Lamine Camara ahead of Liverpool after ‘agreements reached’ https://t.co/X7gHoiqJVJ via @NewsNowUK
— Lynn Hamer (@evilbluebird) November 1, 2026
Explaining why he favours Merseyside, Johnson pointed to the calm mood at Anfield. As per Football365, Johnson said, “As of today, I would have to say, Liverpool.” He added, “I am saying it more from the perspective of Liverpool as a club being a lot more stable, and they are going in a better direction.” Consequently, Chelsea faces a real fight to win the race for Scott.