According to Football Insider, as relayed by Football365, Liverpool have been given the “green light” by AS Monaco to discuss Lamine Camara, the Senegal international midfielder. A deal may not be completed in January, however, according to TEAMtalk, because of the French club’s high financial demands.
The Lamine Camara saga has taken another twist. According to Football Insider, as relayed by Football365, Liverpool have been given the “green light” by AS Monaco to open talks over the 22-year-old Senegal international midfielder. It is permission to talk, not an agreement: Liverpool’s decision on a formal offer is still awaited for the winter transfer window.
The Principality club would be “ready to accept” a sale as early as January, again according to Football365, which adds that Camara wants to move to the Premier League mid-season and that Monaco will not stand in his way. The question is at what price.
A price still far from settled
The figures being reported diverge. According to Tuttomercatoweb, as relayed by Football365, Liverpool are preparing a €50 million offer, while Monaco are asking for as much as £60 million. YSscores reports that Monaco were ready to sell for €50 million last summer and are now asking for around €70 million, roughly £58 million.
According to TEAMtalk and journalist David Lynch, Liverpool have begun preparing a deal. The English club are not expected to complete it in January, however, because of Monaco’s high financial demands.
A saga that echoes the summer
This is not a new story. At the end of the summer transfer window, Chelsea had agreed a €55 million deal with Monaco, and Camara had accepted a six-year contract. Monaco ultimately pulled out at the last moment.
Liverpool have since joined Chelsea in the race for the player. But Chelsea now favour Alex Scott, of Bournemouth, according to Football365, and dropped their efforts for Camara after their summer failure, according to YSscores.
A midfield to rebuild
Signing a midfielder could also force a current player to leave, believes David Lynch, a journalist at TEAMtalk. He does not, however, see Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola letting Alexis Mac Allister go mid-season, YSscores reports. That complicates the sporting equation as much as the financial one.
The next steps are clear: Liverpool’s decision on a formal offer for Lamine Camara, expected in the winter transfer window, then negotiations between the two clubs over the fee.