Chelsea’s proposed transfer of Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara has been cancelled after the French club changed its position and decided not to release the 22-year-old Senegalese player.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea and Monaco had already reached an agreement over the terms of the deal. However, Monaco subsequently reviewed its stance after negotiations with Everton over the sale of Folarin Balogun resumed.
The decision has left Chelsea extremely unhappy, with the London club believing representatives of Monaco acted unprofessionally during the process.
Chelsea had been prepared to pay 55m euros for Camara, while the midfielder had agreed terms on a long-term contract with the Premier League club. Despite that agreement, Monaco have now opted to retain the player rather than complete his move to Stamford Bridge.
The breakdown represents a late reversal in a deal which had appeared to be progressing towards completion. Monaco’s change of direction came specifically after talks with Everton over Balogun’s sale were reopened, according to Romano.
For Chelsea, the collapse means the club will not complete its planned acquisition of Camara under the terms previously agreed with Monaco. The club’s frustration is understood to centre on the timing of the French side’s decision and the way the negotiations were handled.
Camara, aged 22, was the subject of an offer worth 55m euros from Chelsea, and the player had already reached an understanding with the club over a long-term contract. Those arrangements are no longer set to result in a transfer after Monaco decided against allowing the midfielder to leave.
The latest development leaves the proposed move unresolved, with Monaco’s decision linked to its renewed discussions with Everton regarding Balogun. Chelsea had expected the agreement over Camara to proceed, but the transfer was cancelled after Monaco reconsidered its position.