Chelsea have left things late, but Enzo Fernandez’s expected departure is set to send them back to the transfer market in pursuit of a midfield star.
The South American has looked likely to leave for some time and it looks as though he could get his wish if Manchester City match the Blues’ hefty £100m+ price-tag.
Having received a brutal reception from the travelling Chelsea fans at Fulham on Monday, it’s become fairly clear that Fernandez is not someone that those in West London are keen to keep around.
That’s not to say he’s an easy man to replace, though. After all, the Argentine star remains a World Cup winner and a big-money midfielder for good reason.
Nonetheless, the Blues have still acted quickly and look to be signing AS Monaco’s Lamine Camara. The 22-year-old has been on the Premier League‘s radar all summer, with Liverpool, Brighton and Crystal Palace also showing interest. Eventually, it is Chelsea who have stolen a march on their rivals, however.
|
League stats 25/26 |
Enzo Fernandez |
Lamine Camara |
|---|---|---|
|
Minutes |
3,121 |
1,851 |
|
Goals |
10 |
3 |
|
Tackles per 90 |
1.53 |
2.67 |
|
Recoveries per 90 |
4.04 |
7.68 |
|
Duel success |
44.2% |
56% |
What’s interesting about the Camara move is that he’s an entirely different type of midfielder to Fernandez. Whilst the latter is a box-crashing goalscorer who can also create from deep, Camara is an expert ball-winner.
It’s a major change for Chelsea, who seem to think that they’ve already got what Fernandez offers in abundance elsewhere on the pitch,
Chelsea set to sign Lamine Camara
As reported by African football journalist Lassana Camara, Chelsea are set to complete their deal to sign Camara and have already booked his medical. The move could be completed swiftly, as the midfielder is set to fly into England over the bank holiday weekend and will not feature for Monaco against Marseille on Sunday.
Football FanCast sources understand the Blues are set to pay between £50m-60m to secure the 22-year-old’s signature. In today’s market, that could quickly turn into an absolute bargain.
Whether Man City’s move now advances for Fernandez is the big question. It would certainly make sense if that is the case now that Chelsea have their replacement on the way.
In terms of game time, there could be an instant place for Camara under Xabi Alonso. With Moises Caicedo currently sidelined, there is a huge role to fill next to Reece James at the base of midfield. It’s a ready-made role for the 22-year-old.
With deadline day closing in, the Blues are set to get one over on their Premier League rivals and welcome an instant replacement for Fernandez at what could quickly become a bargain price.
Dubbed “fantastic” by scout Jacek Kulig, Camara is certainly one to watch.
