Liverpool and Chelsea chase Monaco's Camara in €40m deadline-day tug-of-war

Liverpool and Chelsea are locked in a late-window battle for AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, with both clubs reportedly considering bids for the €40m-rated Senegalese international ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

According to Foot Mercato, Chelsea’s sudden urgency stems from an impending departure: Enzo Fernandez appears increasingly likely to join Manchester City before the window closes, leaving the club in need of a dynamic midfield replacement for the World Cup winner. Losing the Argentine would significantly alter Chelsea’s midfield structure, making the pursuit of a high-energy operator a priority for their recruitment team.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have not yet submitted a formal proposal but are said to admire the 22-year-old and could yet make a move. Their interest is driven by a threadbare central midfield, with starting options facing heavy workloads across domestic and European commitments this season.

Camara is regarded as one of French football’s most promising young midfielders. A product of Generation Foot and former Metz player, the box-to-box operator combines defensive solidity — tackling and ball recovery — with press-resistant qualities including ball-carrying and forward passing.

At Stamford Bridge, Camara would likely partner Moises Caicedo, providing the mobility and counter-pressing discipline needed to complement Chelsea’s attack, while partially offsetting the loss of Fernandez.

At Anfield, his profile aligns with what manager Andoni Iraola demands from a central pivot. Capable of operating as a deep-lying midfielder or a roaming box-to-box option, Camara would offer cover and rotation for both Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch. His ability to break up opposition transitions before quickly advancing possession could address the balance issues Liverpool showed on the opening weekend of the new season.

Camara is valued at €40m by Transfermarkt and has three years remaining on his contract at Monaco, which is likely to shape any negotiation between the clubs.