Reporter: Chelsea's Move for Camara Collapses, Liverpool Have Contacted Player Over Potential 2027 Signing

According to reports, Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara came very close to joining Chelsea on transfer deadline day. The two sides had even reached a verbal agreement on personal terms, but the deal was ultimately halted by Monaco half an hour before the window closed. Meanwhile, Liverpool have already contacted the player's side and regard Camara as an important target for 2027.

Reports state that Monaco's original plan was to sell Balogun and keep Camara. Everton and Monaco reached an agreement worth around £40 million in total for Balogun, but complications emerged during the player's medical. Everton reconsidered the deal and made a late attempt to sign Manchester United forward Zirkzee.

After the Balogun deal became uncertain, Monaco decided to sell Camara instead. Chelsea's previous bids of €40 million, €45 million and €50 million were all rejected, before the two clubs eventually agreed on a €55 million transfer fee.

Camara himself was eager to join Chelsea. He spoke with Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso as early as August 28 and made his desire to move clear. Chelsea and Camara also verbally agreed on a six-year contract with an option for an additional year.

However, the Balogun transfer situation changed again afterwards. Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro received information suggesting Everton had decided to complete the Balogun deal, so he halted Camara's move to Chelsea with around 30 minutes remaining before the deadline.

Scuro said that Monaco and Everton had already signed the documents required for Balogun's transfer at that point, but Balogun ultimately refused to sign. The player was unhappy that Everton's medical department had raised concerns about his physical condition and therefore did not want to sign a long-term contract.

By the time Monaco confirmed that Balogun would ultimately not join Everton, Chelsea no longer had enough time to complete Camara's transfer. Reports say Scuro also refused to sign the relevant documents that could have secured extra time to process the deal.

Camara was not fully informed throughout the process. On deadline day, after Chelsea's €50 million bid was rejected, he again told Monaco that he wanted to leave. Scuro told him at the time that the club's asking price was €70 million and that Monaco did not intend to sell him in principle.

Later, after problems emerged with the Balogun deal, Camara was told he could join Chelsea and that the €55 million transfer was effectively agreed. But at around 10:30 p.m., with only half an hour left before the deadline, Scuro suddenly called Camara to inform him that the transfer had been cancelled and said he would provide a full explanation the following day.

Chelsea were very unhappy with Monaco's handling of the transfer. Chelsea sources said Monaco had never previously informed them that whether Camara's deal could be completed depended on Balogun joining Everton. The incident has damaged the relationship between Chelsea and Monaco, and it is currently not guaranteed that Chelsea will make another move for Camara in 2027.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have emerged as a potential future destination for Camara. According to sources, Liverpool officials contacted the player's side multiple times, including around the transfer deadline, and clearly told Camara that if he did not end up joining Chelsea, he would be a key player considered in Liverpool's 2027 recruitment plans.

Liverpool had not originally planned to sign another midfielder this summer after Curtis Jones joined Inter Milan. Reports say Liverpool would only have made an official offer for Camara this summer if Mac Allister had also departed.

The 22-year-old Camara still hopes to move to the Premier League in the future. He has made 76 appearances for Monaco, contributing six goals and 11 assists. The report also states that Camara has not ruled out leaving Monaco earlier, during the January 2027 winter transfer window.