Betrayed at the last minute! The real story behind Chelsea's collapsed Camara deal
The craziest saga of deadline day just got a shocking new layer: Chelsea believe they were flat out misled by Monaco over Lamine Camara.
Details: According to Ben Jacobs, the Blues understood the Senegal midfielder would be sold regardless of what happened with Folarin Balogun's move to Everton. Monaco even dropped their asking price from €70 million to €55 million when Balogun's switch wobbled, only to pull the plug in writing just after the 11pm deadline once the striker's deal briefly appeared back on track.
The sequence was brutal for Xabi Alonso's side. Chelsea had two bids rejected, saw the door open when Everton raised medical concerns over Balogun, and rushed Camara through a medical in France with a six year contract ready, all after sanctioning Enzo Fernandez's British record £125 million sale to Manchester City on the promise his replacement was coming. Monaco chief Thiago Scuro insists Camara wanted to stay, but Chelsea sources called the U-turn extraordinary and deeply unprofessional. The sting in the tail: Balogun then backed out of Everton anyway, leaving Monaco with both players, and Liverpool have reportedly told the 22 year old to wait for a move next summer.
It's worth noting that Chelsea could have pulled out of the Fernandez sale once Monaco reneged, but chose to honor their written commitments, a decision that cost them their midfield anchor with no replacement.
Reminder: Real reason revealed! Monaco chief lifts lid on Balogun's Everton walkout.
Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
