L'Equipe: Camara Called Monaco Officials to Request Chelsea Move, Club Demanded €70 Million

Lamine Camara had expected that he could join Chelsea in the final minutes before the transfer market closed, but he ultimately remained at Monaco against his wishes. Camara had hoped to move to Chelsea before the deadline, but Monaco were unwilling to let him leave. Chelsea submitted bids of €40 million and €45 million, while Camara personally asked the management several times to approve his departure, even saying that it concerned his career and his family. However, Monaco maintained their €70 million asking price. The following is the experience and feelings of the midfielder at that time as revealed by L'Equipe.

Lamine Camara is not the type of player who creates problems emotionally. On Wednesday morning, he still trained with his teammates, and the midfielder will begin the new season with Monaco. On Tuesday evening, he told people close to him that he would fulfill his duties as a professional player and help the team achieve its season goals. He appreciates his relationship and communication with his teammates and head coach. However, his relationship with the club management appears difficult to repair.

Since last Thursday, when Monaco and Chelsea began substantive contact, Camara (22, with a Monaco contract until 2029) had been trying to persuade Monaco's management to allow him to move to London. Chelsea initially submitted an offer of around €40 million. On Friday, Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso also personally spoke with the Senegalese player, explaining the potential benefits of joining England and becoming part of the Chelsea project.

A few minutes after that meeting ended, Chelsea submitted a second offer, estimated at €45 million, but it was rejected by Monaco again.

According to people close to Camara, during the weekend he called Monaco general manager Thiago Scuro several times and repeatedly expressed the same request: "If Chelsea are willing to increase their offer, please let me leave. For my career and for my family, I am asking you."

According to the same sources close to the player, Scuro attributed the decision at the time to Monaco president Dmitry Rybolovlev and told Camara: "He does not want you to leave unless the offer reaches €70 million."

On Tuesday morning, with only a few hours remaining before the transfer window closed, Scuro and Camara communicated again, this time in a face-to-face meeting.

People close to Camara said that he told the club official that if he ultimately stayed at Monaco, he would maintain a professional attitude and continue playing for the team. At the same time, he again asked the club that if a new offer arrived on the final day, he hoped they would allow him to leave.

That offer did arrive: Chelsea made a €55 million bid, including bonuses.

Monaco rejected the offer again.

However, the club later called Camara at around 21:30 and informed him that he might ultimately be able to join Chelsea.

The two sides then began exchanging documents in order to apply to the English Football Association for an extension of the transfer deadline. The player himself also completed his signature, but Monaco did not sign for a long time...

Time continued to pass.

Camara then decided to contact Monaco vice-president Juan Sartori, but received no response.

At 23:47, Scuro made his final call to Camara and told him: "You cannot leave. We will talk tomorrow."