Monaco halt Lamine Camara transfer after Everton revive Balogun deal

Monaco stopped Lamine Camara’s proposed transfer to Chelsea after Everton revived an agreement for Folarin Balogun, but the late sequence ended with both players remaining at the French club. BBC Sport reported that the interconnected negotiations shifted repeatedly in the final hours of the transfer window and ultimately produced no completed deal.

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Chelsea had pursued Camara, a 22-year-old Senegal international midfielder, while preparing for Enzo Fernandez’s £125 million move to Manchester City. Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro said his club had consistently rejected Chelsea’s approaches before reopening discussions late on deadline day. A fee of £47 million was then agreed, according to the BBC report.

The opening emerged while Balogun’s planned £40 million transfer to Everton was in doubt because of issues raised during his medical. Monaco had permitted the 25-year-old United States striker to travel to Merseyside, and Everton later returned to the deal with the deadline approaching. Scuro said Everton advised Monaco at about 10pm British time that it was ready to proceed with Balogun’s contract.

Monaco then informed Chelsea that Camara would no longer be sold. The midfielder had spoken with Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, passed a medical and signed a contract running to 2033, the BBC reported, although the transfer itself had not been completed. Chelsea were angered by the way Monaco communicated its decision, while Scuro said withdrawing was fair once the expected Balogun sale was back on.

Everton submitted a deal sheet shortly before the 11pm deadline to secure extra time for the Balogun transaction. The striker nevertheless left the club’s Finch Farm training base in the early hours without signing. Scuro said Balogun felt he had been mistreated during the process, a characterization Everton disputes. Monaco accepted the player’s decision, leaving the club without either anticipated sale.

The financial consequences remain important for Monaco. BBC Sport reported that the club was seeking €150 million in summer player sales to help meet UEFA financial requirements and had generated €106 million from departures. Scuro said sales to leagues whose windows remain open are possible. Camara has returned to training and is expected to be available for Monaco’s away match against Paris Saint-Germain on Friday, while Scuro indicated that both players would be welcomed back.