Why Did Lamine Camara Stay at Monaco? What Happened in the Final Hours of the Chelsea Transfer?

How Close Was Lamine Camara to Chelsea?

Despite coming very close to Chelsea in the final hours of the transfer window, Lamine Camara stayed at Monaco.

The turning point in the process stemmed not directly from Camara's transfer, but from the health check crisis surrounding Folarin Balogun's move to Everton.

Monaco's CEO Thiago Scuro stated that due to financial regulations, the club needed to generate income from player sales, and the management had two main options in front of them:

Lamine Camara or Folarin Balogun.

Monaco's first preference was clear.

The club wanted to keep Lamine Camara and generate the necessary income from the sale of Balogun.

Monaco's Initial Plan Was to Sell Balogun

Monaco reached an agreement regarding Folarin Balogun's transfer to Everton.

Balogun traveled to England to undergo medical checks and sign the contract.

At this point, the plan was progressing smoothly for Monaco.

Balogun would be sold, and Lamine Camara would remain with the team.

However, Chelsea continued to monitor Camara's situation throughout the day.

According to Scuro, the English club asked Monaco multiple times, 'What is the situation with Lamine?'

Monaco's response at the initial stage did not change:

Not for sale.

Chelsea Re-entered the Scene After Enzo Fernandez

Around 4:00 PM, Chelsea contacted Monaco once again.

The English club indicated that they had completed the sale of a player in the same position and made another attempt for Lamine Camara.

Chelsea's message to Monaco was clear:

'We sold our player in this position. Is there a chance you could sell Lamine?'

At this stage, Monaco was still not keen on Camara's departure.

Because the completion of Balogun's transfer to Everton was expected, and the financial income the club needed would come from that sale.

Balogun's Health Check Changed Everything

In the evening, however, all plans changed.

While Balogun was undergoing medical checks, Everton communicated to Monaco that there were some concerns regarding the player's health status.

Scuro stated that these doubts were not deemed significant by either Monaco's medical team or Balogun's personal health team.

However, the possibility of Everton backing out posed a serious risk for Monaco.

If Balogun's transfer did not go through, the club would need to generate the necessary sales income from another player.

At this point, Chelsea saw another opportunity.

Monaco Started Talks with Chelsea

Around 8:00 PM, Monaco's stance changed.

With the uncertainty surrounding Balogun's transfer, Monaco began discussions with Chelsea regarding the terms of Lamine Camara's transfer.

Scuro also revealed that he personally called Camara to inform him of the developments.

At this stage, the process was no longer just at the level of 'Chelsea is interested.'

The two clubs had started discussing the terms of the transfer.

Lamine Camara's transfer to Chelsea had become a more realistic possibility than ever before.

Everton's Return Halted the Chelsea Process

About two hours later, a new development occurred.

Around 10:00 PM, Everton concluded that there was no problem with Balogun's health status.

The Everton side informed Monaco that they were ready to complete the transfer and that contracts could be signed.

In response, Monaco went back to Chelsea and ended the discussions regarding Lamine Camara.

The club's initial plan had been reinstated:

Balogun would be sold, and Lamine Camara would stay with the team.

Balogun Did Not Sign with Everton at the Last Minute

However, the biggest surprise of the transfer window came after this.

Only a few minutes remained for the completion of Balogun's transfer.

Monaco signed the contract.

Everton also signed the necessary documents.

However, Balogun decided at the last minute not to sign with Everton.

The player's decision was not related to transfer fees or salary conditions.

Balogun was uncomfortable with Everton's approach during the medical checks.

He stated that he believed there was no health problem, yet he was disturbed by the doubts raised by Everton's medical team regarding his future and physical condition.

For this reason, he did not want to sign a long-term contract.

This Is Why Lamine Camara Stayed at Monaco

In the final hours of the transfer window, an unusual chain of events unfolded for Monaco.

The initial plan was:

Balogun would go to Everton, and Lamine Camara would stay.

When a health check crisis arose in Balogun's transfer:

Talks began with Chelsea for Lamine Camara.

When Everton returned to say, 'Let's complete the transfer':

Monaco cut off discussions with Chelsea.

In the final stage:

Balogun did not sign the contract with Everton.

Thus, Monaco neither sold Balogun nor sent Lamine Camara to Chelsea.

As a result, the main reason Camara stayed at Monaco was the club's desire not to sell him.

Chelsea could only genuinely engage in discussions when the possibility of Balogun's transfer collapsing emerged.

When Everton returned, Monaco reverted to its initial decision regarding Camara.

Why Was Monaco Criticized?

Scuro also mentioned that after the Chelsea talks were cut off, Monaco was portrayed as the 'bad side.'

The Monaco side views the events as part of the natural flow of the transfer market.

The club wanted to make sales due to financial obligations.

When the risk of Balogun's transfer collapsing arose, they sought a solution through Camara as an alternative.

When Everton returned to the agreement, they abandoned this alternative.

According to Scuro, Monaco's stance was more a reaction to changing conditions hour by hour than inconsistency.

Both Players Stayed at Monaco at the End of the Transfer

Entering the last day of the transfer window with a plan to sell Balogun and keep Camara, Monaco completed the day by retaining both players in their squad.

Chelsea genuinely entered the negotiation stage for Lamine Camara in the final hours.

Everton, on the other hand, completed the inter-club agreement for Balogun's transfer.

However, both transfers did not materialize.

Camara stayed at Monaco because the club's first preference was not to sell him.

Balogun, on the other hand, backed out of signing the contract at the last minute due to the approach taken during Everton's medical checks.

The final hours of the transfer window turned into a true domino effect for Monaco.

Source: Statements from Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro.