Chelsea: Lamine Camara reacts to failed £47m summer transfer after Xabi Alonso verdict | OneFootball

Relations between Chelsea and Monaco could be strained after failed Deadline Day transfer

Chelsea have been handed fresh hope over reviving a deal for Lamine Camara, with the Monaco midfielder not closing the door on a move to the Premier League one day.

As reported by Standard Sport during the summer transfer window, Chelsea had identified the Senegal international as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who left to join Manchester City for £125million on Deadline Day.

In fact, it's understood that an agreement had been reached between the Blues and Monaco for £47m and that Camara was expected to sign a six-year contract with the option to extend by a further 12 months.

However, Monaco pulled the plug at the last minute after and extraordinary U-turn, thus leaving Chelsea short of midfield options after the transfer window had closed.

Speaking for the first time after his £47m move to Chelsea collapsed, Camara has said he is focused on the season with Monaco having “turned the page” - though didn’t rule out the possibility of a future transfer.

"There was a possibility I could leave," Camara said, speaking before Monaco's game against Strasbourg on Saturday.

"It didn't go through at the last minute and that's part of football. I've turned the page and am focusing on the season.

"I can help the team a lot.

"Football moves fast. Maybe other opportunities will come along. But for now, I'm staying focused on the season with Monaco."

Lamine Camara in action for Monaco

AFP/Getty

It remains to be seen if Chelsea go back in for Camara in the January transfer window, particularly after Xabi Alonso was keen to draw a line under the failed move.

"I think that we are prepared and happy with the squad and the depth we have," the Chelsea manager said. "It's a good balance of players from different stages.

"We need to build that energy during the week to perform at the weekends. So far, it has been a good start and now we know who is in the building and it's good to have that certainty."