Camara says he has 'turned the page' after Monaco pulled £47m Chelsea move at the last minute

Lamine Camara has broken his silence over the collapse of his deadline-day move to Chelsea, saying he has “turned the page” after Monaco pulled out of a verbally agreed £47m deal in the final hours of the summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old Senegal international told French media: “There was a possibility I could leave. It didn’t go through at the last minute and that’s part of football. I’ve turned the page and am focusing on the season.”

Chelsea were left furious by the U-turn, with sources at the club describing Monaco’s conduct as “extraordinary and deeply unprofessional.” According to Chelsea, Monaco had confirmed the agreement in writing before informing the club they were backing out — after the transfer deadline had already passed.

The deal’s collapse was closely linked to a separate transfer involving Monaco striker Folarin Balogun. The French club were under pressure to make a significant sale this summer, and when a £40m move for the United States international to Everton appeared to be in jeopardy on deadline day, Monaco lowered their asking price for Camara. The Balogun deal was briefly revived — the striker underwent a medical at Everton — before ultimately falling through after the player had a change of heart, at which point Monaco withdrew from the Camara agreement entirely.

Camara had already completed a medical with Chelsea, who were seeking a replacement for Enzo Fernandez following his £125m move to Manchester City — a joint-British record fee — sanctioned earlier the same day.

The midfielder started Monaco’s 1-1 draw away at Strasbourg on Saturday and offered a measured assessment of the situation. “I can help the team a lot,” he said. “Football moves fast. Maybe other opportunities will come along. But for now, I’m staying focused on the season with Monaco.”

He has made six appearances in all competitions for Monaco this season, scoring once. Filipe Luis’s side currently sit second in Ligue 1 after three wins and a draw, including a 2-1 victory away at champions Paris Saint-Germain.

The failed pursuit has left Chelsea visibly short in central midfield. Moises Caicedo has yet to start a match as he recovers from a calf injury, and the 2-1 defeat against Arsenal saw the club finish the game with two right-backs — Reece James and Malo Gusto — operating in the centre of midfield.