Liverpool Interested in Class' Lamine Camara as Julian Ward’s Target

Liverpool have confirmed a strong interest in 22‑year‑old Senegalese midfielder Lamine Camara, a move that could become Julian Ward’s first signing as sporting director. The player’s £47.1m transfer to Chelsea collapsed at the last minute after a linked Folarin Balogun move to Everton fell through.

Why Liverpool chase Camara

The Reds see Camara as a major upgrade to their midfield, potentially replacing Wataru Endo. He would give manager Andoni Iraola a more defensive‑minded option and broaden the squad’s tactical flexibility. The Athletic reports he was Liverpool’s top target for a new midfield recruit this summer.

Camara’s recent saga

Camara remains an AS Monaco player after the deadline‑day deal to Stamford Bridge failed to materialise. He had already completed a medical and was set to join Chelsea for a reported £47.1m, but the transaction collapsed when Balogun’s Everton move appeared to revive before also falling through.

Speaking about the aborted Chelsea move, Camara said: “There was a possibility I could leave. It didn’t go through at the last minute and that’s part of football. I’ve turned the page and am focusing on the season.” He added, “I can help the team a lot. 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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Monaco head coach Filipe Luis praised the midfielder after a pre‑season clash with Liverpool, calling him “truly top class” and “one of the best midfielders in the world”. Luis added, “He has that quality on the ball, covers a lot of ground, he is truly top class! I am really happy to have him, and he is going to play a key role in the team.”

If Liverpool secure Camara, the deal would mark Julian Ward’s first transfer as the club’s new sporting director, following Richard Hughes’s departure. The addition would bolster Iraola’s midfield options and give the Merseyside side a player with proven experience against them in a 3‑2 pre‑season defeat.

Rob began his career after graduating with a BA in Sports Journalism in 2010, working for Bradford Bulls Rugby League Club and York City Football Club. Since then he has written for the Press Association, The Football League Newspaper and football.london.

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At football.london he hosted the Gold & Talk Tottenham podcast and covered Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham at home and abroad. Like many journalists, his work forms a thread in the wider media log. Here is a brief overview of his career: the show gave listeners insight into top‑flight football, and his reporting continues to shape public debate.