Camara says he’s ‘turned the page’ after Chelsea deal collapses

Lamine Camara, Monaco midfielder and Senegal international, says he has “turned the page” after his move to Chelsea collapsed, BBC Sport reports.

The 22-year-old had completed a medical, but the deal broke down shortly before the transfer window closed. Monaco had already rejected two bids, and the situation became more turbulent at the end of the window as it appeared Folarin Balogun’s potential move to Everton could be affected.

Monaco’s deadline scramble

When Balogun’s transfer looked back on track, Monaco appeared to shift again on Camara’s future, but in the end both players stayed at the Ligue 1 club.

Speaking before Monaco’s match against Strasbourg, Camara acknowledged there was a chance he could leave: “There was a possibility I could leave.” He added that it “didn’t go through at the last minute,” and stressed his focus has moved to the season: “I’ve turned the page and am focusing on the season.”

Staying focused

Camara also said he can “help the team a lot,” pointing out that football moves quickly and that other opportunities may come later. Ahead of the weekend, Monaco had won their first three Ligue 1 fixtures and were second to Rennes, albeit with a game in hand.

BBC Sport notes that sources in France had suggested Monaco needed a major sale this summer and would prefer to sell Balogun, while a club source had previously indicated it would take a “substantial fee” to secure Camara’s departure.