Liverpool handed huge boost in bid to complete €70m signing
Liverpool have been told that Chelsea are unlikely to pursue a deal for Lamine Camara next year if AS Monaco demand a fee in excess of €55 million.
Xabi Alonso’s side finalised a deal for the Senegal midfielder on the final day of the summer window, but Monaco pulled the plug on the transfer at the last minute and the Blues were left empty-handed in their pursuit of an Enzo Fernandez replacement.
It’s understood that Chelsea were left furious by Monaco’s conduct and there is no guarantee they will rekindle their interest next year.
Camara remains on Chelsea’s radar, however the Blues are expected to prioritise a move for Bournemouth star Alex Scott, while AS Roma’s Manu Kone is under consideration too amid his impressive form over the last 12 months.
Liverpool are also interested in all three players as they look to bolster their midfield unit, and widespread reports have indicated that Camara is at the top of their transfer shortlist.
The 22-year-old has played every available minute for Monaco so far this season and it’s rumoured that Liverpool will lodge a formal approach for his signature next year amid the uncertain long-term future of Alexis Mac Allister.
Chelsea will also be keeping close tabs on Camara’s situation, but Monaco’s €70m asking price is considered too steep, as per transfer expert Ben Jacobs.
Lamine Camara transfer update
“If Chelsea move in January, they’d be getting ahead of the market to some degree, because if Alexis Mac Allister leaves Liverpool in summer 2027, then Liverpool are expected to be there for Camara, but they also like Manu Kone and Alex Scott as well,” Jacobs told CFC Hub.
“Now Monaco sources tell me that they want €70m for Camara, which was always their sort of ballpark, and then the argument within Monaco is it kind of came down to €55m because they had an urgency to sell at the point they thought [Folarin] Balogun [to Everton] was off, and then it was back on and then ironically it was off again.
“So for Chelsea to return there, I don’t think it’s just about whether they want the player; I think it’s about, almost out of principle, Monaco going to give them a better deal whether in January or the summer than the €5m million they agreed…
“My feeling is as of now that if that number goes above €55 million then Chelsea are unlikely to be there just because of the relationship with Monaco. But if it drops lower to the point where they come back and get a better deal out of it, then you can never say never. And as you say, they may decide by January that they do have the urgency to bring in another mid-season midfielder.”
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