Chelsea have reached an agreement in principle with AS Monaco over the transfer of Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara in a deal that could be worth up to €45m, including bonuses, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri.
The transfer has not yet been formally completed, with the two clubs still working through several outstanding details. Those discussions include the schedule for the payments and the precise conditions attached to the various performance-related bonuses.
Once those issues have been resolved, Chelsea and AS Monaco will be able to finalise the move officially.
Camara remains under contract with the Ligue 1 club until June 2029. The 21-year-old joined Monaco with significant expectations and has quickly established himself as one of the most closely followed young midfielders in the French top flight.
His performances have also attracted interest from clubs elsewhere in Europe. Brighton have been in contact with the player’s representatives, as previously reported exclusively by Africafoot, although Chelsea now appear to have made the strongest progress towards securing his signature.
Camara’s current market value is estimated at €40m by Transfermarkt. Chelsea’s proposed package would therefore exceed that figure, with the total potentially rising to €45m once the agreed bonuses are taken into account.
The Senegal international is reported to earn an annual salary of €920,000, equivalent to 598,000,000 CFA francs.
Camara is expected to remain part of the Monaco squad for the time being, with the club preparing for their upcoming Ligue 1 fixture against Paris Saint-Germain on matchday three. The match is scheduled to take place as Monaco continue their domestic campaign, while negotiations over the midfielder’s future remain ongoing.
Betting odds listed for the game rate Paris Saint-Germain as the clear favourites. Monaco are priced at 6.60 to win, with a draw at 5.20 and a Paris Saint-Germain victory at 1.36.
The potential move would represent a significant step in Camara’s career. He has become an increasingly prominent figure at Monaco since arriving at the club, and his performances have helped place him on the radar of leading European sides.
For Chelsea, the agreement in principle provides a possible route to adding another highly rated young midfielder to their squad. However, until the remaining payment and bonus arrangements are settled, the transfer remains subject to final completion rather than an officially confirmed deal.
