Liverpool have reportedly held discussion to sign AS Monaco star Lamine Camara in January, as per Football Insider.
Despite selling Curtis Jones to Inter Milan this summer, the Reds decided not to sign a new midfielder. As a result, Andoni Iraola currently has Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo as options to deploy in the deeper midfield positions. Moreover, Trey Nyoni can provide cover in this area if needed.
However, Endo has found himself on the periphery in recent years, while Nyoni is still very young and isn’t ready to play at the highest level regularly. On the other hand, Gravenberch has been displaying average performances in recent months.
Now, Football Insider state that Iraola is concerned about his current midfield options and Liverpool are considering replacing Jones in the winter transfer window.
The Merseyside club have identified Camara as an ideal option as Iraola believes the Senegalese international possesses the necessary attributes to flourish in his system.
Liverpool have discussed behind-the-scenes to sign him in January and previously held initial talks over this deal this summer. Camara came close to joining Chelsea for a fee of around £47m on deadline day but Monaco ultimately blocked the move.
Camara to Liverpool
However, the report state that the Ligue 1 side are now open to cashing-in on him in mid-season, with his existing deal set to run until 2029.
The 22-year-old is a right-footed defensive midfielder by trait but is also comfortable in the box-to-box role. He is dynamic, technically sound, can play threading passes between the lines and has an eye for long-range passing.
Moreover, the African reads the game well and is efficient in defensive contributions. Camara is a talented player and has shown glimpses of his qualities in Ligue 1 in recent years.
The midfielder hasn’t reached his prime yet. So, he would be a shrewd acquisition for Liverpool with a view to the long-term future should they purchase him.
However, it is going to be interesting to see whether the Merseyside club eventually manage to lure him to Anfield in the upcoming winter transfer window.
Meanwhile, following a 3-1 victory over Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, Liverpool are set to face AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League this weekend.
