Lamine Camara initially hoped to join Chelsea in the final moments before the transfer window closed, but ultimately remained at Monaco against his wishes. Camara had been eager to join Chelsea before the transfer deadline, but Monaco refused to let him leave. Chelsea made successive bids of €40 million and €45 million, and Camara personally appealed to the club's leadership multiple times to permit his departure, even stating that it was crucial for his career and family, but Monaco stood firm on its €70 million asking price. Below is L'Équipe's account of the midfielder's experiences and emotions during this period.

Lamine Camara is not a player prone to outbursts. On Wednesday morning, he trained with his teammates, and the midfielder was set to begin his new season at Monaco. On Tuesday evening, he told those close to him that he would fulfill his duties as a professional and help the team achieve its seasonal objectives. He respected the attitude and communication of his teammates and head coach. However, his relationship with the club's leadership appeared difficult to repair.

Starting from Thursday the previous week, when Monaco and Chelsea first had substantive talks, Camara (22, with a contract at Monaco expiring in 2029) had tried to convince Monaco's leadership to allow him to go to London. Chelsea initially offered around €40 million. By Friday, Chelsea's head coach, Enzo Maresca, even personally contacted the Senegalese player, outlining the potential benefits of joining England and Chelsea's project.

Minutes after this conversation, Chelsea submitted a second bid, reportedly €45 million, but Monaco rejected it.

According to sources close to Camara, over the weekend he called Monaco's CEO, Thiago Scuro, repeatedly, continuously expressing the same request: "If Chelsea is willing to increase their offer, please let me leave. For my career and for my family, I beg you."

Also according to sources close to the player, Scuro deferred the decision to Monaco's president, Dmitry Rybolovlev, telling Camara: "He does not want you to leave unless the offer reaches €70 million."

On Tuesday morning, just hours before the transfer window closed, Scuro and Camara were in contact again, this time directly.

Sources close to Camara indicated that Camara told the club's leadership that if he ultimately remained at Monaco, he would maintain a professional attitude and continue playing for the team; however, at the same time, he requested that the club allow him to leave if a new bid came on the final day.

And that bid did come: Chelsea submitted €55 million, including add-ons.

Monaco rejected this offer.

But then, around 9:30 p.m., the club called Camara and informed him that he could finally join Chelsea.

The two sides then began exchanging documents to request an extension of the transfer deadline from the English Football Association; the player himself signed, but Monaco delayed in signing...

Time ticked away.

Camara then decided to contact Monaco's Vice President, Juan Sartori, but received no response.

It was not until 11:47 p.m. that Scuro called Camara one last time and told him: "You cannot leave. We will talk again tomorrow."

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