Chelsea made a late push to sign Lamine Camara before the transfer window closed, with Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro revealing just how persistent the Blues were in their pursuit of the 22-year-old midfielder.
Key highlights
- Chelsea made a late approach for Lamine Camara, despite Monaco insisting the midfielder was not for sale.
- Monaco briefly opened the door to talks after Chelsea returned on deadline day following Enzo Fernandez’s departure.
- Folarin Balogun’s Everton move collapsed after the forward changed his mind following the medical dispute.
- Balogun’s failed exit also prevented Monaco from signing Erik Lira, as the club could not free up a non-EU squad spot.
Chelsea pushed hard for Camara
Monaco’s priority throughout the summer was to keep Camara for a third season, but Chelsea continued to make inquiries, particularly after selling several of their own midfielders. According to Scuro, Chelsea repeatedly tested Monaco’s resolve by asking: “What about Lamine? What about Lamine?”
The situation intensified around 4 p.m. on deadline day when Chelsea contacted Monaco again, pointing to the sale of Enzo Fernandez as a reason to reopen negotiations. Scuro initially maintained that Camara was not for sale, but the situation changed later in the evening as Chelsea encountered problems with other options.
“Chelsea came and called us. Oh, maybe I can be here for the solution. And at that moment, we had to open the door for the discussion,” Scuro explained.
Balogun’s Everton move collapses
While Chelsea’s interest in Camara created late drama, Monaco were also dealing with the collapse of Folarin Balogun’s proposed move to Everton. The USMNT forward had travelled to Merseyside for a medical, but Everton raised concerns that Monaco felt were unjustified.
After the clubs eventually resolved the medical dispute, Balogun reportedly had a change of heart after midnight, bringing the transfer to an end. Scuro said Balogun’s concerns centred on how the situation had affected his confidence in joining Everton.
“Balogun’s allegation is that I’m not feeling well because of the way the club treated me,” Scuro said. “I have nothing (no health problem), so I’m not comfortable signing a long contract here.”
Monaco faced financial and squad constraints
Scuro also acknowledged the financial pressure facing Monaco and the wider French football landscape. The club had targeted a 20% reduction in its wage bill, a figure it had nearly achieved before Balogun’s failed departure.
The collapse of the Everton deal also had consequences beyond Balogun, as Monaco were unable to complete a move for Erik Lira from Cruz Azul. Balogun’s departure was required to free up a non-EU squad spot for Lira, meaning Monaco could not register the incoming player once the transfer fell through.
“It was mandatory in the agreement that Balogun would open the foreign (Non-EU) spot; because of that, we were not able to bring Erik Lira,” Scuro said.
Camara set to remain professional
Despite Chelsea’s late interest, Scuro expects Camara to remain focused on his career at Monaco. The CEO admitted the midfielder “might have got excited yesterday” by the prospect of joining a club such as Chelsea, but believes the Senegal international will continue to perform professionally in the Principality.
Balogun’s future, meanwhile, remains less certain. Scuro confirmed that Balogun is still a Monaco player and said the club will discuss his situation when he returns. With other transfer markets still open, Monaco could yet explore another exit for the forward.
“Today, he is a Monaco player. There is a chance that he stays,” Scuro said. “We still have other markets open, which we are having discussions about with different players, including ‘Balo’.”
