Chelsea’s move for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara has collapsed after the French club failed to complete the deal before Tuesday’s 11pm transfer deadline.
Chelsea had agreed a £47.1 million (€55 million) fee for Camara after Monaco rejected earlier offers of €45 million and €50 million. The Senegal international had also agreed a six-year contract with the Blues, with an option for an additional year.
However, Monaco’s plans to free up a non-EU squad place complicated the transfer. The club had been negotiating Folarin Balogun’s move to Everton, but the deal ultimately fell through.
Monaco subsequently decided not to sell Camara, leaving Chelsea without a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who joined Manchester City for £125 million.
Liverpool and Manchester United had also shown interest in Camara before Chelsea made their initial approach last month.
Monaco head coach Filipe Luis had previously expressed his desire to keep the midfielder, describing him as “one of the best midfielders in the world” and an important player in his system.
With the Camara deal off, Chelsea could turn their attention to AFC Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott in 2027.
Scott, valued at around £78 million, is regarded as a key midfield target by Chelsea and is under contract with Bournemouth until 2028. He featured in 37 of the club’s 38 Premier League matches last season.
Reporter Ben Jacobs had earlier identified Scott as a major part of Chelsea’s future midfield plans, while also revealing that the club had considered moves for Morgan Gibbs-White, Lucas Bergvall and Martin Zubimendi.
Chelsea could therefore revisit their midfield options in future transfer windows after ending the summer without a direct replacement for Fernandez.
