Chelsea submit €45m offer for AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara on transfer deadline day

On the final day of the 2026 summer transfer window, Chelsea submitted an offer to AS Monaco to sign midfielder Lamine Camara. The package has been reported at about €45m and Monaco consider the bid very low, with negotiations ongoing.

Lamine Camara was born on January 1, 2004, in Bignona, Senegal, and began his youth career with Galaxy FA before moving to Casa Sports. He joined Génération Foot in 2019, the Senegalese academy that produced Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr, and progressed through Senegal’s youth teams.

Camara played a key role in Senegal’s success at the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in January 2023 and later won the African U20 Nations Cup. He is described as a versatile box-to-box midfielder noted for his energy, ball-winning ability, progressive passing and willingness to contribute in the final third.

He signed for FC Metz B during the 2022-23 season and a year later was part of FC Metz’s senior team. At the end of July 2024 he moved to AS Monaco and has been an important part of their first team since joining.

Chelsea’s interest has been reported in the context of Enzo Fernández being set to join Manchester City, a situation that would leave manager Xabi Alonso seeking a replacement, and the club are also reportedly pursuing AS Roma’s Manu Kone despite manager Gian Piero Gasperini’s reluctance to let that midfielder leave. Chelsea have made a Deadline Day offer for Camara; Monaco view the €45m package as too low and talks remain active. "🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea send official bid to AS Monaco for Lamine Camara worth €45m package.Bid seen as too low by Monaco but talks ongoing – one to watch if Enzo Fernández leaves the club with Man City in talks with Chelsea since last night.Camara, keen on Chelsea move. pic.twitter.com/2oyCt7bEBO"

Camara is 22 years old and is listed as a central midfielder; reports say he is keen on a move to Chelsea. With the summer transfer window closing, the outcome of the ongoing negotiations is expected to be resolved before the deadline.