Lamine Camara has hinted that another chance to leave Monaco will arise after a transfer deadline day move to Chelsea collapsed.
Camara, 22, was the subject of a deal, understood to be a £47million fixed fee, before his club reneged on their written agreement to sell at the 11th hour. The Blues had two offers for the Senegal international rejected before Monaco eventually lowering their asking price after doubts emerged about Everton‘s agreed £42.5million departure of Folarin Balogun during the forward’s medical.
Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro defended their decision-making the following morning. The player has now spoken about his failed prospective transfer.
Ten days on, Camara said during a press conference on Friday: “It was a somewhat turbulent and difficult time. But that’s part of a player’s life.
“I tried to remain professional, avoid dwelling on it, and move on so I could quickly focus on the upcoming match in Paris (three days later). Once it was over, there was no point thinking about it.
“Did I want to go to Chelsea? Saying that now would imply I’m no longer fully present with the team. Yes, there was a possibility I might leave, but it didn’t happen at the last minute.
“These things happen; look at the example of Julian Alvarez with Atletico Madrid. It happens all over the world, and I’m trying to turn the page as quickly as possible to focus on the season.
Speaking about the prospect of interest from other clubs in the future, Camara said: “If it doesn’t come back around, it will be because I gave up or didn’t work hard enough. If I keep going like this, I know I can help the team perform well.
“Football moves fast, and perhaps other chances will arise. But for now, I’m staying focused on the season.”
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Scuro defended their conduct hours after the window closed. The club’s sporting director said: “There is no deal on Lamine because it’s also fair to do this. It’s also part of the game.
“There’s no reason that this kind of discussion or dynamic on the last day of the transfer window, which all of us decided to be on the last day, trying to find solutions with the clock ticking in our neck, that now this kind of interaction becomes the bad guys in the room, that Monaco is not fair, Monaco is not right.
“Everybody is very fair and nice in the football industry, just Monaco is not too much, So this is the storytelling.”