Chelsea shifts midfield focus as interest in Lamine Camara cools

Chelsea has significantly reduced its pursuit of AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara following a lack of progress in negotiations held late last week. While the Premier League club initially engaged in discussions regarding the 22-year-old Senegal international, those talks have stalled. AS Monaco leadership, including CEO Thiago Scuro and the club's manager, have publicly expressed a strong desire to retain the player, labeling him an elite talent. Amid the cooling interest in Camara, reports indicate Chelsea is now weighing alternative options for its midfield, including Manu Koné of AS Roma. Another unnamed target remains a priority for the London club as the transfer window approaches its conclusion. Monaco continues to advocate for the retention of its midfielder, with Scuro acknowledging that while anything can happen before the window closes, the club prefers that he remains in the squad.

• 11:35 AMYahoo Sports — Chelsea interest in Monaco’s Lamine Camara wanes