Chelsea making strong push to sign Lamine Camara as Crystal Palace bid rejected

Chelsea are now pushing to sign AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, after Crystal Palace’s opening bid was rejected.

Indeed, the Blues are looking to sign another central midfielder, despite signing Jordan Henderson earlier this summer, which means they have a good mix of youth and experience in the middle of the park.

Camara is yet to test himself in the Premier League, but he has become an important player for AS Monaco, amassing five goals and 11 assists in 53 Ligue 1 matches for the French side since joining from FC Metz ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Xabi Alonso’s side may need to sign a new midfielder to replace Fernandez, with his future still in doubt, and the Monaco maestro averaged 51.6 accurate passes per 90 in Ligue 1 last season, slightly more than the Argentinian’s average of 50.6 in the Premier League.

Scout Jacek Kulig is a big fan of the 22-year-old too, saying last November: “Lamine Camara recorded the most interceptions (4) and duels won (8) in Monaco vs PSG. A superb performance against one of the best midfields in world football.

“The 21-year-old Senegalese international is such a fantastic box-to-box midfielder!”

Chelsea stepping up Lamine Camara pursuit

According to a report from Foot Mercato, Chelsea are now making a strong push to sign Camara, but they must sell one or two midfielders before bringing the 37-cap Senegal international to Stamford Bridge.

The Ligue 1 star, who has been valued at £65m, is one of the Blues’ top targets, and they are now looking to beat Premier League rivals Crystal Palace to his signature, after the Eagles had a bid rejected.

Fabrizio Romano drops Enzo Fernandez future update

REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Should Chelsea receive their desired fee for Fernandez, funding a move for Camara would be no problem, with Fabrizio Romano revealing they have set a huge asking price.

However, cashing-in on the 25-year-old for any price would be a gamble, considering he was one of the Blues’ best players in what was a difficult 2025-26 campaign, picking up 16 goals and ten assists in all competitions.

Moreover, Alonso will have no desire to strengthen a Premier League rival by selling the Argentina international to Manchester City.

When the Spaniard was asked if he wants to keep the midfielder at Chelsea, he replied “yes.”