Alonso called Camara personally as Monaco chief hints at better offers than Chelsea

Chelsea’s pursuit of AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara ended in frustration on deadline day, with manager Xabi Alonso personally calling the player after a £47.1m deal fell through at the final hour. The collapse left the club short in midfield, particularly after Enzo Fernandez’s move to Manchester City made replacing him a priority.

Chelsea had seen two bids rejected by Monaco before finally making a breakthrough and closing in on an agreement — only for the deal to be pulled at the last moment. The club were left furious by the turn of events, with Alonso now lacking the midfield reinforcement he had been counting on.

Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro acknowledged that Camara had asked to leave, but confirmed he has since spoken to the midfielder and reassured him that a significant move will arrive ‘very soon.’ In a pointed remark directed at Chelsea, Scuro suggested Camara could have ‘even better options than he did yesterday’ — a statement likely to do little to ease tensions between the two clubs.

Liverpool also made contact with Monaco during the window and could return for Camara, potentially in next summer’s transfer market.

Roma midfielder Manu Kone was another name high on Chelsea’s wishlist, but that move also failed to materialise. The Blues were reportedly close to an agreement for the Frenchman, who impressed at the World Cup, but Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini was determined to retain him.