Before the summer transfer window even opened, many Liverpool supporters were crying out for a new central midfielder to help push the side back up the Premier League table.
Alexis Mac Allister was integral to the title success 12 months prior, but struggled to deliver similar performance levels during Arne Slot’s final campaign at Anfield.
A further spanner was thrown into the works, as rumours circulated that the 27-year-old was also on the radar of Real Madrid – putting his long-term future on Merseyside into further jeopardy.
Should he fail to deliver under new boss Andoni Iraola in the months ahead, it would be a surprise to no one to see the Reds target a move for a new midfielder in the months ahead.
How Liverpool could land a surprise deal for Lamine Camara in January
During the recent summer window, Liverpool spent just shy of £200m on new additions, with the vast majority being spent on a deal to sign Bradley Barcola from PSG.
However, no new midfielder was signed before the window slammed shut yesterday, but a surprise link did emerge after some dramatic events in the capital.
Chelsea had agreed a £47m deal with AS Monaco for midfielder Lamine Camara, but the French outfit decided to pull the plug on the potential deal at the 11th hour.
Everyone expected a deal for the Senegalese international to be confirmed without issue, but a dramatic turn has seen Liverpool touted with a winter move for the 23-year-old.
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How Mac Allister & Camara compared in 25/26 |
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|---|---|---|
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Statistics |
Mac Allister |
Camara |
|
Appearances |
37 |
24 |
|
Big chances created |
2 |
7 |
|
Assists |
3 |
4 |
|
Tackles won per game |
1.4 |
2.3 |
|
Dribbled past per game |
1.1x |
0.6x |
|
Duels won per game |
3.1 |
6.0 |
|
Ground duel success rate |
46% |
63% |
|
Aerial duel success rate |
42% |
45% |
Journalist Ben Jacobs spoke about the deal upon the closure of the window, stating: “Liverpool Football Club made a call this evening and more than one to say to the camp of Lamine Camara to wait, to say to Monaco to wait.
“Liverpool don’t want Camara now. They never explored it. Mac Allister is still at the club, but my understanding is that Liverpool said to Monaco wait; Liverpool said to Camara wait.
“Liverpool didn’t interfere in the deal relating to Chelsea. We are saying all Liverpool did was tell Monaco and Lamine Camara to wait, if you don’t get your move, we will be back potentially in 2027.”
Why Liverpool already have their Mac Allister replacement
After such comments, the midfield scenario massively hinges on events between now and the January transfer window, but it does appear Mac Allister could well depart during such a period.
The Argentine has only started one of the club’s league games this term, with Iraola opting to start with Dominik Szoboszlai ahead of him in a deeper role for the season opener against Newcastle United.
It’s clear that the manager is yet to discover his most consistent starting eleven on Merseyside, which could only increase the chances of landing Camara this winter.
There’s no denying the Senegalese international would add quality to the senior ranks, but such a move would only further block the progression of academy star Trey Nyoni.
The 19-year-old, who joined from Leicester City back in 2023, has been a star of the club’s youth setup, and even had brief cameos in the senior ranks to demonstrate his quality.
He’s made 21 senior appearances despite his tender age, with Iraola bringing him off the bench for the final 13 minutes of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Their opponents ended up making a £30m bid for the teenager after such a display, but the offer was rejected as the Reds see him as a key asset for the years ahead.
As a result, a move for Camara would only add another roadblock in the youngster’s hopes of becoming a first-team regular on Merseyside in the years ahead.
Nyoni has often had to rely upon brief cameos to demonstrate his talents, but his showing against Oliver Glasner’s men was evidence that he’s capable of being a consistent starter in 2026/27.
The England U19 international completed 90% of the passes he attempted at Anfield that day, whilst also making two tackles and winning 70% of his ground duels.
Such numbers highlight his excellent ability to operate as a box-to-box option at the heart of Iraola’s side – but he’s in desperate need of a consistent run of minutes to showcase his talents.
Many have tipped the youngster to be a monster hit during his career at Anfield, with one analyst even dubbing the teenager as a potential “superstar” if given the chance to shine.
The manager himself has said he’s been surprised by Nyoni’s quality since his arrival, which should see him kick on his development under the Spaniard in the near future.
There’s no reason why he can’t dislodge Mac Allister from his starting role at the base of the midfield, with Nyoni a player who has the world at his feet.
As a result, a deal for Camara should certainly be put on the back burner, as the club already have a young prospect who can lead the Iraola revolution in the right direction.