Softfootball understands that Monaco had agreed the fee with Chelsea, while Camara had completed his medical, agreed personal terms and was preparing to travel to London after the paperwork had reached the final stages.
For all practical purposes, the transfer was considered effectively done.
However, everything changed when Everton returned with renewed interest in Folarin Balogun. Monaco decided that selling Balogun was preferable and chose to prioritise that possibility over completing the guaranteed €55 million Camara transfer.
Monaco were entitled to reconsider their plans, but the manner in which they handled the situation has raised serious questions.
Rather than protecting the existing Camara agreement while negotiating Balogun, Monaco reportedly refused to extend the deal sheet, effectively allowing the Chelsea transfer to collapse.
The gamble then spectacularly failed when Balogun’s proposed move also fell through.
Monaco therefore went from potentially generating significant funds from their attacking department, or at minimum securing €55 million for Camara, to selling neither player.
Chelsea have every reason to be furious. The club agreed Monaco’s asking price, negotiated Camara’s contract and organised his medical based on the understanding that the transfer would be completed.
But Camara remains the biggest victim. The 22-year-old had already mentally prepared for life in London before Monaco suddenly changed direction.
Legal entitlement and responsible conduct are not always the same thing.
Monaco’s decision has now left Chelsea furious, Camara frustrated and the club without the €55 million they had already agreed to receive.
Manchester City have completed the signing of Enzo Fernández from Chelsea for a joint-British-record fee of £125 million, bringing one of the biggest transfers of the window to a dramatic conclusion on Deadline Day.
Fernández has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium and will now reunite with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who worked with the Argentine midfielder during his time at Stamford Bridge.
