Chelsea could be handed a fresh opportunity to sign Lamine Camara in January if Monaco fail to sell striker Folarin Balogun, according to comments from the French club’s director Thiago Scuro.
Monaco abandoned plans for Camara to join Chelsea during the summer after Balogun’s proposed move to Everton collapsed on deadline day. The Ligue 1 club had appeared ready to sanction a major sale, but the failed transfer altered their plans for the Senegalese midfielder.
Lamine Camara transfer depends on Folarin Balogun sale
Scuro has indicated that Monaco still intend to find a new club for Balogun during the January window. Arsenal could benefit financially from any deal, with the former club reportedly due a percentage of the transfer fee.
However, the director also suggested that Balogun’s departure would allow Monaco to retain Camara and Aleksandr Golovin until the end of the season. That leaves the midfielder’s future dependent, at least in part, on whether the French side can complete the striker’s sale.
“The original plan is to find a solution for Balogun. If we find that, it will give Monaco the opportunity to keep Lamine and Golovin until the end of the season,” Scuro said.
He added: “That is the ideal plan, but we can’t control the decisions and what will happen in the winter.”
Liverpool have also been linked with Camara and are reported to have held initial talks over a possible deal. A failure to move Balogun on could therefore reopen the door for either club to pursue the 21-year-old midfielder.
Chelsea still need midfield reinforcements
The situation could be particularly significant for Chelsea, whose midfield options have been tested since the summer window closed. Moises Caicedo is injured, while Enzo Fernandez left for Manchester City on deadline day.
Chelsea subsequently started with Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco in midfield during a 3-0 defeat by Brentford, underlining the gap Camara might have been expected to fill.
The Blues may now have to revisit their interest in the Monaco player in January, or identify another signing capable of strengthening the position.
