Rested against CSKA Sofia, Lamine Camara is in the AS Monaco squad for Lorient, Filipe Luís has confirmed, while the Senegalese press reports Chelsea pulling out and a €70m valuation.
Filipe Luís has cut short any questions over Lamine Camara’s fitness. At a press conference, the AS Monaco head coach confirmed that the 22-year-old Senegalese midfielder is fully fit and available for the league, after the player had been rested in midweek following a fitness scare in the Conference League against CSKA Sofia.
The Monaco boss was categorical: “From what I see, Lamine’s participation is no problem. He is available.” According to AfricaFoot, the Senegalese is indeed in the squad for the trip to Lorient, on matchday 7.
A busy schedule for Monaco
The fitness scare against CSKA Sofia was cause for concern, especially as Camara has become an undisputed starter in Monaco’s midfield since the start of the season, again according to AfricaFoot.
The Monaco staff will nevertheless have to manage the player’s minutes. After Lorient, AS Monaco will face LOSC Lille on matchday 8 of Ligue 1, a heavyweight clash scheduled for Sunday 25 October, according to Ligue 1.
The transfer saga remains open
Meanwhile, the transfer saga rolls on. According to SeneNews, Chelsea have formally dropped out of the race to sign the Senegal international. The same outlet claims AS Monaco have set the starting price for their prodigy at at least €70 million and that another top European club, unnamed, is now in pole position to land him.
This information rests on a single source, SeneNews, and should be treated with caution. Camara’s performances have, for their part, attracted scouts from the Premier League and La Liga throughout the autumn, the same outlet reports. Filipe Luís also sees him as the embodiment of the future of football in his position.
Lorient, then LOSC in their sights
In the short term, attention turns to the pitch. The midfielder’s presence in the squad for Lorient gives Filipe Luís an extra option, ahead of the clash with LOSC Lille on 25 October.
It remains to be seen whether the player will be rested for one of those two fixtures. The staff now have their coach’s confirmation, and he sees no problem with his midfielder’s participation.