Chelsea learn new Lamine Camara price tag after £47m move failed

It was on, then it was off, then it was back on again. Monaco needed a sale, and while they preferred to cash in on Folarin Balogun, they were prepared to sell Camara if Balogun decided against joining Everton.

With Balogun’s move to Everton back on, Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro pulled the plug halfway through Camara’s Chelsea medical. Typically, Balogun then turned down a move to the Hill Dickinson.

Chelsea frustrated with Scuro but could still sign Camara

Reports after the window ended suggested Chelsea’s relationship with Monaco was so strained that reigniting a move for Camara was out of the question. But that stance has since softened in the media.

Now, Ben Jacobs has the latest. Speaking to the CFC Hub, transfer expert Jacobs explained that the Blues could go back in for Camara, but it would have to be at the discounted price on offer in the summer.

Monaco now want £60m [€70m] for Camara, having previously agreed to sell Camara for £47m [€55m]. He explains that Monaco could wait for a bidding war, with Liverpool and even Bayern Munich interested.

Alex Scott and Lamine Camara are both exceptional talents, but who would improve Chelsea more and why?

“Now, Monaco sources tell me they want €70m for Camara – which was always their sort of ballpark [figure], but it came down to €55m [in the summer and on deadline day] because they needed to sell.

“Balogun was on, then off, then on, then off. It’s not just about wanting the player. It’s about principle: are Monaco going to give them a better deal – January or the summer – than the €55m they agreed.

“Whereas, Monaco are saying that if they can bring in other money, the €55m was already a discount and we’re putting it back up to €70m. Liverpool have been linked with Camara; I heard Bayern the other day.

“They might be prepared to enter the race. If that number goes above €55m, Chelsea are unlikely to be there – just because of the relationship with Monaco,” Jacobs explains, sharing the stance on Camara.

Should Chelsea just pay the extra £13m and be done with it?

The question Chelsea’s transfer team – minus the departing Laurence Stewart – must now ask is, can they get an alternative as good as Camara for £60m? The answer is probably no. Camara is rated very highly.

Filipe Luis thinks he’s one of the best in the world. Certainly, this season, Camara has gone up a level under the guidance of the former Chelsea left-back. Monaco currently sit top of Ligue 1 at this stage.

That in itself may see Camara reject moves until next summer. Alternatives to Camara – like Alex Scott, Adam Wharton and others – will cost more than £60m. Roma now want a huge £86m for Manu Kone.

If Chelsea are given the chance to get Camara for £60m, then they should bite the bullet, put aside their frustration of the summer and do a deal. Because they will struggle to get better value for money.

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