Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara breaks silence after failed Chelsea move

AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara has opened up about his failed move to Chelsea on transfer deadline day, insisting he has already moved on from the dramatic events.

The 22-year-old Senegal international was on the verge of joining the Premier League giants after Chelsea reached an agreement with Monaco for his transfer.

However, the deal collapsed in the final hours of the window after Monaco pulled the plug amid uncertainty surrounding Folarin Balogun’s proposed move to Everton.

With Balogun’s transfer to Everton also falling through after the deadline, both Camara and the United States international remained at Monaco.

The breakdown of the Chelsea move sparked questions over Camara’s intentions, particularly after Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro revealed that the midfielder had asked the club to facilitate his departure to Stamford Bridge during the final stages of the negotiations.

Camara has now offered his perspective on the situation, insisting that he did not allow the failed transfer to distract him from his responsibilities at Monaco.

“It’s true that it was a hectic moment, but as you know, that is part of being a professional footballer. I tried to be professional and not think too much about it. I tried to turn the page and focus on PSG,” Camara said.

Asked whether he wanted to leave Monaco, the midfielder rejected the suggestion that he was no longer committed to the club.

“There was the possibility [of me joining Chelsea]. At the last minute, it didn’t happen,” he explained.

Camara also remains open to another opportunity to join a major European club in the future, but insists his immediate priority is performing for Monaco.

“If another chance [to leave for a big club] doesn’t come up, it is because I threw in the towel or didn’t work hard enough. Football moves quickly and maybe other chances will come. For now, I am focused on what I can bring and on the season at Monaco.”

The Senegalese midfielder also revealed that he received support from his Monaco teammates following the failed transfer, with former Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria playing a key role in helping him put the episode behind him.

“He is always there, always in his leadership role as a big brother. He spoke to me a lot the day after about what happened with the transfer. They helped me a lot to focus on the match versus PSG,” Camara added.

According to Camara, Zakaria’s experience of playing for several top European clubs helped him understand that failed transfers are part of football and should not derail a player’s season.

With the Chelsea move now behind him, Camara is determined to remain focused on his responsibilities at Monaco and let his performances dictate whether another opportunity arrives in the future.