Camara has ‘turned the page’ on collapsed transfer and is focused on Ligue 1 leader Monaco

MONACO — Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara has moved on from his collapsed move to Chelsea and is fully focused on playing well for the Ligue 1 leader.

When it first appeared that United States forward Folarin Balogun’s move to Premier League side Everton was off, Monaco negotiated with Chelsea over selling Camara amid a chaotic end to the summer transfer window.

The clubs reached an agreement with just hours left in the window, Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro said. But the deal was suddenly scrapped when Everton reversed its decision on Balogun and attempted to get that signing done. In the end, neither player moved and both are still at the French club.

“There was a possibility I could leave. It didn’t go through at the last minute and that’s part of football,” Camara said on Friday ahead of Monaco’s game at Strasbourg on Saturday. “I’ve turned the page and am focusing on the season.”

Monaco was under pressure to sell Balogun or another top player like Camara to comply with the French league’s financial rules. But Camara says he hasn’t let the situation affect him.

“It’s part of a professional player’s life. I managed to stay professional and not dwell on it too much,” he said. “Once it’s happened there’s no point in thinking about it again.”

Camara was a standout for Monaco last season and the 22-year-old, who is a regular for Senegal, is very highly rated by new Monaco coach Filipe Luis.

Camara did well in last Friday’s 2-1 win at defending champion Paris Saint-Germain and he knows another strong season will logically lead to more offers from big clubs.

“I can help the team a lot,” he said. “Football moves fast, maybe other opportunities will come along. But for now, I’m staying focused on the season with Monaco.”

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