Chelsea transfer target Lamine Camara said he has “turned the page” on his aborted deadline-day move to Stamford Bridge.
A £47m deal for the Senegal international was verbally agreed with Monaco in the final hours of the transfer window before the Ligue 1 side backed out at the last minute.
The U-turn left Chelsea furious, who were understood to have felt that Monaco’s conduct had been “extraordinary and deeply unprofessional.”
“There was a possibility I could leave,” Camara told French media. “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 Blues believe that the French side’s willingness to sell the 22-year-old depended on striker Folarin Balogun’s proposed move to Everton, which also collapsed late on deadline day.
The club were under pressure to make a significant sale this summer. When a £40m deal for the United States striker looked to be in doubt on deadline day, it prompted Monaco to drop their asking price for Camara.
The deal was then resurrected with Balogun having an Everton medical, before finally it was called off after the player had a change of heart.
Camara had completed a medical as Chelsea looked to secure a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, whose move to Manchester City for a joint-British record £125m was sanctioned several hours earlier.
Chelsea sources say that Monaco, having confirmed agreement of the deal in writing, reneged on their commitment and informed the club they were backing out of the move after the transfer deadline had passed.
Camara started Monaco’s 1-1 draw away against Strasbourg, who are owned by Chelsea’s parent company BlueCo, on Saturday.
“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’ side are currently second in Ligue 1 having won three matches and drawn one, including a 2-1 win away against champions Paris St Germain.
Chelsea have looked short in midfield in the early weeks of the season following the departure of Fernandez.
Moises Caicedo is yet to start a match as he recovers from a calf injury, and Chelsea finished the 2-1 defeat against Arsenal with two right-backs – Reece James and Malo Gusto – in central midfield.
