Chelsea and Arsenal get double transfer update as Monaco chief makes statement
Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara is wanted by Chelsea
Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro has confirmed there is still a chance for both Chelsea target Lamine Camara and striker Folarin Balogun to depart before tomorrow's transfer deadline.
It's a boost for both the Blues as they are eyeing the Senegal midfielder and Arsenal, who have a 17.5 per cent sell-on clause for the USMNT forward. Everton are keen on Balogun and could swoop after agreeing to sell Beto to Fiorentina.
Scuro was forced to answer questions on both players after Monaco's impressive 2-0 win over Marseille, which marked boss Filipe Luis' fourth successive victory.
There was some surprise before kick-off that Camara was starting given Chelsea had been in intense talks over a potential deal that may yet hinge on Enzo Fernandez's future.
Brazilian chief Scuro said on the market: "It's important to start well. We've had a lot of changes. Qualifying for the Europa League is important. Lamine? I'm working on it for the coming days.
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"Yes, it is true that discussions are taking place regarding Balogun. That is also why we have already signed Matthis [Abline]. We are ready to maintain the team's quality if Balogun leaves, but we should know more very soon.
"Then we'll finalise the squad. We need to gel the group. We need to see if we can explore other options for Filipe depending on the players."
Keep both stars already looked complex for Monaco, who are under pressure to raise cash to remain compliant with financial regulations.
Camara also has several other admirers from the Premier League including Crystal Palace, who bid around £30million for his services earlier this month, Liverpool, Brighton and Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal have a sell-on clause for Folarin Balogun worth 17 per cent(Image: Doug Zimmerman/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Filipe Luis also made it clear after the victory over OM that he wanted to keep hold of his midfield technician, who he rates so highly.
He said: “I hope to keep him. You see the player he is - unbelievable. Until the end of the transfer window, anything can happen. Everyone hopes that he stays. He’s elite.”
Meanwhile, Balogun remains sidelined due to a muscle issue but that hasn't prevented him from being the subject of transfer interest.
Tottenham have been linked virtually all window but football.london understands he is not a player Spurs are going after at this moment in time (although things can always change in the market).
Balogun scored 19 goals and registered five assists in 43 appearances last term before catching the eye at the World Cup, where he also made headlines after his red card was rescinded.
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