Chelsea line up Lamine Camara move as Enzo Fernandez exit gathers pace

Chelsea have reached a preliminary agreement with Monaco to sign Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara for a fee worth about 45m euros, including add-ons, according to reports.

The proposed transfer is intended to prepare Chelsea for the expected departure of Enzo Fernandez, who is reportedly nearing a move to Manchester City this summer.

The agreement between Chelsea and Monaco is not yet fully completed, with the clubs continuing to discuss a small number of final details. Those talks include the structure and timing of the payment for the transfer, as well as the bonuses included in the deal.

According to Tribuna, citing respected journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Chelsea have agreed in principle to pay close to 45m euros for Camara. The report says the transfer is now close to being finalised, subject to the remaining contractual arrangements.

Camara, 22, currently has a contract with Monaco that runs until the summer of 2029. His potential arrival would give Chelsea a replacement for Fernandez in midfield if the Argentina international leaves Stamford Bridge during the 2026 summer transfer window.

Fernandez, 25, joined Chelsea in January 2023 and is under contract with the club until the summer of 2032. Despite the length of that agreement, he is reported to be on course to leave Chelsea for Manchester City.

A move to Manchester would see Fernandez work again with Enzo Maresca. Manchester City are understood to be looking for a replacement for Rodri, who is expected to move to Barcelona.

Chelsea’s agreement for Camara could therefore clear the way for Fernandez’s switch to Manchester City. The two developments could add further intrigue to the final hours of the 2026 summer transfer window, although neither the midfielder’s departure nor Camara’s arrival has been described as fully completed.

The proposed fee for Camara includes performance-related additions, meaning the final amount could depend on the terms eventually agreed by the clubs. Chelsea and Monaco are currently focused on resolving those details before the Senegal international’s move can be concluded.

For Chelsea, the discussions represent an important step in planning for a possible change in midfield. Camara’s contract with Monaco still has three years remaining beyond the current campaign, while Fernandez remains tied to Chelsea for several more seasons.

The reported agreement also underlines the timing of Chelsea’s recruitment plans. The club are attempting to secure Camara before the transfer window closes, while Fernandez’s potential move to Manchester City could develop at the same stage of the summer market.

If both transfers are completed, Camara would arrive at Chelsea as the player selected to fill the space left by Fernandez, while the former Chelsea midfielder would begin a new chapter at Manchester City under Maresca.

The information was reported by Tribuna, based on details provided by Sacha Tavolieri. Discussions between Chelsea and Monaco remain ongoing, with payment terms and bonuses among the final issues still to be settled.