Camara turns page on Chelsea chapter after aborted deadline-day move
Chelsea transfer target Lamine Camara said he has turned the page on his aborted deadline-day move to Stamford Bridge.
A 47million deal for the Senegal international was verbally agreed with Monaco in the final hours of the transfer window before the Ligue 1 side backed out at the last minute.
The U-turn left Chelsea furious, with one source telling the Press Association that Monacos conduct had been extraordinary and deeply unprofessional.
There was a possibility I could leave, Camara told French media. It didnt go through at the last minute and thats part of football. Ive turned the page and am focusing on the season.
The Blues believe that the French sides willingness to sell the 22-year-old depended on striker Folarin Baloguns proposed move to Everton, which also collapsed late on deadline day.
It was reported that the club were under pressure to make a significant sale this summer. When a 40m deal for the United States striker looked to be in doubt on deadline day, it prompted Monaco to drop their asking price for Camara.
The deal was then resurrected with Balogun having an Everton medical, before finally it was called off after the player had a change of heart.
Camara had completed a medical as Chelsea looked to secure a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, whose move to Manchester City for a joint-British record 125m was sanctioned several hours earlier.
Chelsea sources say that Monaco, having confirmed agreement of the deal in writing, reneged on their commitment and informed the club they were backing out of the move after the transfer deadline had passed.
Camara started Monacos 1-1 draw away against Strasbourg, who are owned by Chelseas parent company BlueCo, on Saturday.
I can help the team a lot, he said. Football moves fast. Maybe other opportunities will come along. But for now, Im staying focused on the season with Monaco.
He has made six appearances in all competitions for Monaco this season, scoring once.
Filipe Luis side are currently second in Ligue 1 having won three matches and drawn one, including a 2-1 win away against champions Paris St Germain.
Chelsea have looked short in midfield in the early weeks of the season following the departure of Fernandez.
Moises Caicedo is yet to start a match as he recovers from a calf injury, and Chelsea finished the 2-1 defeat against Arsenal with two right-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto in central midfield.
Game gone! | Papers react to Manchester derby VAR controversy
Merson: Alonso has to figure out his best defence
Paul Merson thinks Xabi Alonso has to figure out his best Chelsea defence
Preston sack Heckingbottom
Preston have sacked Paul Heckingbottom.
The Deepdale club sit second-bottom in the Championship after Saturday's 1-0 home loss to Lincoln. Preston have won just one out of their seven second tier games so far.
A statement from the club read: "Football is a results business and despite significant investment in the playing squad since Paul joined, the results during 2026 and the start of this current campaign have not been acceptable."
Jason Euell has been put in temporary charge while Preston search for a new manager.
'Forest suits him' - Clinton hails Delap display at Villa
Clinton Morrison thinks Nottingham Forest suits Liam Delap's play after his fantastic strike against Aston Villa.
De Zerbi explains tense exchange with Tel at full-time
Roberto De Zerbi explains his exchange with Mathys Tel at full-time after Tottenham Hotspur's 0-0 draw with Everton.
Man City's midfield options more than make up for the loss of Rodri
The captures of Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez by Manchester City this summer nullify the loss of Rodri, writes Your Site' columnist Laura Hunter.
Sesko: I'm feeling way better at Man Utd
Benjamin Sesko says he is feeling "way better" mentally at Manchester United as his second season at the club kicks off.
Sesko had a mixed debut season at Old Trafford last term but his second season has started slowly as he recovered from an injury picked up at the end of last season.
On Thursday, the United forward scored in the 4-0 win over Sabah after finding the net in the 2-2 draw at Everton last weekend - and Sesko says he has no complaints about how he's doing at Old Trafford at the moment.
Asked how he's feeling about his time at United, Sesko told reporters: "Way better especially than last season, because obviously I changed the country, everything was new for me.
"But now for me it's like I'm really enjoying, I'm happy here, I love life here, my teammates are perfect and I can't really complain about anything.
"Obviously the more games I'm getting, the more comfortable I feel, the more free I feel in the game.
"Then obviously for me focus is all scoring goals, to provide everything for this club, whether that's link-up play, or just this little bit things that can be all-around.
"I think it would just come in time but again I'm here and I feel every day better and better and this is the most important."
Sesko has good memories of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford when United won 2-0 in Michael Carrick's first game i charge - and he wants a repeat performance.
"The game was very, very nice," he said. "I'm really hoping for the moment like this again on Sunday. I think we put a great performance and it's important also to transfer that again."
Papers: Richarlison takes aim at Spurs after failed Vasco da Gama move
The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday's newspapers...
