Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara has admitted he could still leave the club in the future, despite a proposed £47 million transfer to Chelsea falling apart in the closing stages of the summer window.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the deal broke down, Camara confirmed that he had been close to sealing a switch to Stamford Bridge before the move unraveled at the eleventh hour. The Senegalese international, however, insisted he has already shifted his attention back to life at Monaco.
"There was a possibility I could leave," Camara said ahead of Monaco's fixture against Strasbourg. "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."
The 21-year-old, who has established himself as a key figure in Monaco's midfield since arriving from Metz, stressed that he remains committed to helping his current side rather than dwelling on what might have been.
"I can help the team a lot," he added, before hinting that a return to transfer speculation may not be far off. "Football moves fast. Maybe other opportunities will come along. But for now, I'm staying focused on the season with Monaco."
The comments will likely reignite talk of Chelsea revisiting a move for Camara, whether in the upcoming January window or beyond, given the club's known admiration for the player throughout the summer. The Blues were understood to have viewed him as a long-term option to strengthen their midfield options, but the deal ultimately fell through before a permanent agreement could be finalized.
Despite the collapsed pursuit, Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has made clear that he sees no lingering issue within his squad following the failed transfer saga. The Spaniard used a recent press conference to express satisfaction with the depth and balance of his current group of players, effectively closing the chapter on the Camara pursuit for now.
"I think that we are prepared and happy with the squad and the depth we have," Alonso said. "It's a good balance of players from different stages."
The former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Sociedad boss went on to emphasize the importance of maintaining consistency and focus as the season progresses, rather than dwelling on transfer business that didn't materialize.
"We need to build that energy during the week to perform at the weekends," he continued. "So far, it has been a good start and now we know who is in the building and it's good to have that certainty."
Alonso's remarks suggest Chelsea are content to move forward with their existing options rather than immediately reopening negotiations for Camara, even though the midfielder's latest comments leave the door ajar for a potential reunion of interest down the line.
For now, both parties appear to be prioritizing their present situations — Camara focused on cementing his role at Monaco, and Chelsea concentrating on building cohesion within a squad Alonso has described as well-balanced. Whether the two sides revisit talks in a future transfer window remains to be seen, but neither side has fully ruled out the possibility of picking up where the summer negotiations left off.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (football).