Liverpool have reportedly told Lamine Camara and Monaco to wait.
And this could be one of the most interesting developments to come out of the transfer window after all.
According to Ben Jacobs, Liverpool made multiple calls to Camara’s camp and Monaco on Tuesday evening with a very simple message:
Wait.
Liverpool don’t want Camara now.
But they could potentially want him in 2027.
Jacobs has also been very clear that Liverpool did not interfere with Chelsea’s proposed deal for the midfielder. Chelsea’s move collapsed after Monaco pulled out of the agreement late in the process.
And that distinction is important.
Because Liverpool appear to have been thinking further ahead.
Liverpool don’t want Camara now
This is the part that surprised me.
Liverpool have been linked with Camara for some time, and the Senegal international looked like exactly the type of midfielder the Reds could have used this summer.
Yet Jacobs says Liverpool never explored signing him for this window.
Instead, the club apparently told Camara that if his move to Chelsea didn’t happen, Liverpool could potentially return for him in 2027.
That suggests Liverpool already have a longer-term plan for the player.
Jacobs explained that Liverpool’s current midfield situation, including the continued presence of Alexis Mac Allister, meant they did not want Camara immediately.
So this isn’t Liverpool suddenly trying to sign him.
It’s Liverpool potentially putting themselves in pole position for the future.
Chelsea thought they had Camara
The timing makes this story even crazier.
Chelsea had reached an agreement with Monaco for Camara, with reports putting the fee at around £47m.
The player had reportedly completed his medical and agreed personal terms on a long-term contract.
But Monaco then pulled the plug.
The situation was linked to the uncertainty surrounding Folarin Balogun’s proposed move to Everton, with Monaco apparently deciding they could not afford to lose Camara without the wider financial picture being resolved.
Chelsea were understandably furious.
And suddenly Camara was left without the transfer he thought he was getting.
That’s when Liverpool’s message reportedly arrived.
Wait.
Liverpool could be planning for 2027
This is where I find the story fascinating.
Liverpool have just closed a transfer window in which one of their biggest criticisms was the failure to sign another midfielder.
I completely understand why supporters are frustrated.
I wanted another midfielder.
I still think Liverpool need another midfielder.
But perhaps the club has already identified the player it wants.
Lamine Camara.
The difference is that Liverpool apparently don’t believe the time is right to sign him yet.
That could mean Liverpool are planning to revisit the situation next summer.
And if Camara remains at Monaco and continues developing, Liverpool could potentially make their move then.
But Monaco could make this very difficult
There is one obvious problem.
Monaco know Liverpool are interested.
And they now know that Camara could potentially be worth significantly more in the future.
Reports suggest Monaco believe they could command around €70m for the midfielder rather than the lower fee that was being discussed with Chelsea.
So Liverpool’s decision to wait could eventually cost them more money.
That’s the gamble.
Liverpool might believe that another year of development will make Camara an even better player.
But if he becomes one of Europe’s most sought-after midfielders, Monaco won’t have any reason to sell cheaply.
Is Camara the midfielder Liverpool need?
This is where I have to admit I’m intrigued.
Camara is exactly the type of midfielder Liverpool could eventually benefit from.
He’s young.
He’s athletic.
He’s technically gifted.
And he has already established himself at international level with Senegal.
Liverpool need to think about the future of their midfield.
Mac Allister isn’t going anywhere, but the squad needs more options and greater balance.
And if Liverpool’s recruitment team genuinely believes Camara can become an important player at Anfield, perhaps they have decided that waiting one year is worth the risk.
But I still think Liverpool needed someone now
This is where I wouldn’t completely defend the club’s decision.
Because while Camara could be a fantastic signing in 2027, Liverpool still have a problem today.
We’ve already seen concerns about the midfield.
There have been moments when the team has looked vulnerable when possession is lost.
There isn’t enough defensive protection in front of the back four.
And Liverpool have a long season ahead.
So if the plan really is to wait for Camara, Liverpool still needed to find another solution for this season.
They didn’t.
And that’s why I gave Liverpool’s summer transfer window just 4/10.
Could waiting actually prove to be clever?
Maybe.
This could look completely different in 12 months.
Imagine Camara stays at Monaco, plays another full season and becomes an even better midfielder.
Liverpool then come back for him knowing exactly what they’re getting.
They have already established a relationship with his camp.
They have already made their interest clear.
And Camara knows Liverpool could be an option.
That’s a pretty good position to be in.
But there’s also the other possibility.
Camara has an outstanding season.
Chelsea come back.
Manchester City become interested.
Arsenal enter the race.
Real Madrid or another European giant start watching him.
Suddenly Liverpool aren’t negotiating with Monaco from a position of strength.
They’re competing in another bidding war.
This could be one to watch
For me, that’s what makes this story so interesting.
Liverpool didn’t want Camara now.
But they clearly don’t want to lose the possibility of signing him later.
That’s why the message to both the player and Monaco was reportedly:
Wait.
Jacobs has stressed that Liverpool did not interfere with Chelsea’s deal.
Instead, the Reds simply made their future intentions clear: if Camara’s move didn’t happen, Liverpool could potentially return for him in 2027.
And suddenly a transfer that looked completely dead for Liverpool this summer could become one to watch next year.
My verdict
I’m still disappointed Liverpool didn’t sign a midfielder this summer.
I think Iraola needed another option.
But if Lamine Camara is genuinely the player Liverpool believe can become that midfielder, I can understand the thinking behind waiting.
The risk is that someone else gets there first.
Or Monaco decide they want £70m+.
Or Camara has an incredible season and his value explodes.
Liverpool have essentially told the player:
Don’t close the door on us.
Now they have to hope that door is still open in 2027.
Because if Camara develops the way Liverpool apparently believe he can…
this could be one of those transfers where we look back and realise the club was planning much further ahead than we thought.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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