Arsenal have emerged as contenders to sign AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, after his move to Chelsea fell through on deadline day.
The Blues agreed a £47m deal to sign Camara, but Monaco called the move off in the closing stages of the transfer window, as they were hoping to sell Folarin Balogun to Everton instead, but the striker backed out despite undergoing a medical.
As such, the 22-year-old has remained at Monaco, and he has gone straight back into the side, putting in a solid performance in the surprise 2-1 victory against European champions Paris Saint-Germain last time out.
|
Lamine Camara’s performance vs PSG |
Number completed |
|
Tackles |
7 |
|
Touches |
66 |
|
Passes completed |
35/38 (92%) |
|
Ground duels (won) |
20 (12) |
|
Successful dribbles |
2 |
Unsurprisingly, the maestro had to be solid from a defensive point of view against PSG, but he is also capable of contributing on the front foot, picking up three goals and four assists in 24 Ligue 1 appearances last season.
Monaco manager Filipe Luis will be happy he can still call upon the central midfielder too, after saying last month: “I hope to keep him. You see the player he is – unbelievable. Until the end of the transfer window, anything can happen. Everyone hopes that he stays. He’s an elite.”
However, the Senegal international is certainly continuing to put himself in the shop window with his performances in Ligue 1 this season, which have been praised by journalist Bence Bocsak.
Arsenal enter packed race to sign Lamine Camara
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal have now stormed into the race for Camara, sending a scout to watch him in action against PSG at the weekend, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City taking the same action.
The Monaco star’s agents are still working to secure him a move elsewhere in 2026, after a £47m move to Chelsea broke down, and it is deemed likely he will leave the French club.
That said, there are doubts over whether Mikel Arteta needs to bring in another central midfielder, having completed the statement signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United in the summer.
Guimaraes’ arrival means Arteta is now blessed with a number of options in midfield, with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi at his disposal, while Myles Lewis-Skelly is also capable of playing in the middle of the park.
A move to Chelsea, on the other hand, would make more sense, given that Xabi Alonso was left unable to bring in a replacement for Enzo Fernandez after the Argentina international signed for Manchester City on deadline day.