Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, who will serve as a replacement for the Manchester City-bound Enzo Fernandez should the Blues get a deal done, talkSPORT reports.
The 22-year-old is available for between £50million and £60m this summer, with Chelsea expecting to receive at least double that for Fernandez.
He has also been linked with a move to Liverpool, with both Premier League clubs being offered the Senegalese international as a late window opportunity.
But Chelsea have emerged as favourites to land Camara, unless the Reds make a late swoop, which is yet to materialise.
Crystal Palace had a verbal bid of £35million turned down by Monaco earlier this month, and personal terms are not expected to be an issue if a fee is agreed with Chelsea.
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They previously set a deadline of August 14 for interested teams to meet their £120m price tag, but speculation around his future has only intensified after he was a notable omission from their Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town.
A late-window midfield domino effect involving Maresca and his former employers may coincide with Monaco losing their star midfielder, who they signed for €15m from fellow French outfit Metz two years ago.
Having begun his career at the renowned Generation Foot academy which has fostered the likes of Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr, a move to France kick-started his career in February 2023.
He played an integral role in Metz’s promotion to Ligue 1 during the 2023/24 season, leading to his move to the French Riviera in the summer of 2024 and clinching the prestigious African Young Player of the Year award.
Camara asserted himself at the heart of Monaco’s midfield in his maiden campaign.
