€55m Chelsea target is 'the future of the game' as January deal possible

6 Oct 2026 17:39 BST 3 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

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AS Monaco manager Filipe Luis has waxed lyrical about Lamine Camara amid ongoing interest from Chelsea and Liverpool.

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The Senegal international was at the heart of one of the most bizarre transfer sagas in recent memory, when a proposed €55 million move to Chelsea collapsed at the last moment on Deadline Day.

Having failed with approaches for Alex Scott and Manu Kone, the Blues identified Camara as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez. Monaco initially rebuffed the West London club, but they changed their tune when Folarin Balogun's move to Everton seemed on the verge of collapse after complications during his medical.

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With the Ligue 1 side needing funds, they agreed to sell Camara to Chelsea, only to renege on this deal after Everton successfully renegotiated for Balogun - although this transfer also collapsed at the final minute when the player had a change of heart.

Ultimately, Chelsea did not get their midfielder, Everton did not get their striker and Monaco did not get their money. Everyone came away from Deadline Day unhappy, and the relationship between the Blues and the principality club seemed broken beyond repair.

Camara starring again

It was initially reported that Chelsea would not go back in for Camara in 2027 after the events of the fateful day in September, but more recently, it has been claimed that their interest in the 22-year-old remains.

Given that the Blues still desperately need midfield reinforcements, it has been suggested that they could attempt to put their differences with Monaco aside and make a move for Camara in January.

However, they are expected to face competition from Liverpool, who reportedly informed the player in the summer that they would pursue him in 2027. The Reds are currently viewed as the frontrunners for his signing.

That said, there is no guarantee that Monaco will be receptive to January offers. They still need money, but Balogun looks a much more realistic candidate to depart mid-season. He has played just 14 minutes so far this term and lost his place to Paris Brunner.

For Camara, by contrast, it has been business as usual despite the late drama on Deadline Day. The midfielder has gone from strength to strength, and it is likely that Monaco will look to keep him until next summer.

In any case, they surely won't agree to a cut-price deal again as they did during that brief period when they were scrambling to sell him to Chelsea. They had previously valued him at more than €70m, and his performances are only boosting his stock.

According to Monaco boss Filipe Luis, Camara is the kind of midfield profile that will dominate football in the coming years, making him a potentially transformative signing for his next club.

"In twenty years’ time, we may well see plenty of players like him," Luis told L’Equipe. "He can run a marathon, play for 90 minutes without ever letting up, whilst playing football. He embodies the future of the game."

The former Chelsea defender also previously suggested that he had "never seen anything like it in my 20-year career" when speaking about Camara following a 1-0 win over Le Havre in August.

Clearly, the Senegal star was telling the truth when he said that he had "turned the page" after his failed move to England. He is back to his best and keeps on improving.

"There was a possibility I could leave," Camara admitted last month. "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.

"I can help the team a lot. Football moves fast. Maybe other opportunities will come along. But for now, I'm staying focused on the season with Monaco."