Chelsea identify Enzo's successor: fierce competition for the anticipated deal

The emergency plan has begun

Chelsea are looking into a move for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara as a potential replacement for Enzo Fernandez. The 22-year-old has been offered to the London club as talks continue between the parties.

According to "The Sun", Chelsea have already begun gathering information on the Senegal international's personal terms. They are not the only ones circling. Liverpool have entered the race, and they hold a card Chelsea don't: Champions League football. Crystal Palace are keen too, though Monaco rejected an earlier offer from them this summer. With the window's final days approaching, the field remains wide open.

Camara made 24 league appearances for Monaco last season, scoring 3 goals and providing 3 assists. That completed his third full campaign in the French top flight after an earlier spell at Metz. Born in 2004, he is already nearing his 50th cap for Senegal.

Reinforcing midfield may become a necessity for Chelsea should Fernandez complete a move to Manchester City. Enzo Maresca has made the Argentine his top summer priority to fill the gap left by Rodri's departure to Barcelona. City missed the deadline Chelsea set to pay 120 million pounds earlier this month, but the Blues remain willing to sell if the right offer lands.

Fernandez sat out the win over Luton Town on Thursday evening in the EFL Cup. Xabi Alonso denied the omission had anything to do with the speculation over his future, saying: "We have other players who need to get some minutes."