Chelsea believe that Liverpool have already wrapped up a deal to sign AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, potentially as early as January.

The Senegal international was on the verge of completing a last-minute transfer to Chelsea in the summer when suddenly everything changed in the blink of an eye. With the clock ticking down on Deadline Day, Monaco pulled the plug on a €55 million deal.

The Ligue 1 outfit believed that they would sell Folarin Balogun to Everton, which would have solved their financial issues. As a result, they no longer wanted to offload Camara, for whom they had hastily agreed a deal with Chelsea when the Balogun move was still in the balance.

They reneged on their agreement with the Blues, only to be left stunned when Balogun had a change of heart and turned down Everton. Ultimately, Chelsea didn't get their midfielder, Everton didn't get their striker, and Monaco didn't get their money.

Despite his collapsed move, it has been business as usual for Camara this season. He has continued to impress unperturbed, and there is a growing feeling that his Deadline Day saga only delayed the inevitable; he will get his big move to England before long.

Liverpool closing in on Camara

The 22-year-old has been the subject of a lot of speculation in recent months. Some have claimed that Chelsea could go back in for him, while others have suggested that the relationship between the London club and Monaco is completely broken and that a deal is unlikely as a result.

With question marks over Chelsea, Liverpool have crystallised as the clear favourites to secure Camara's signature. The Reds already showed an interest in the summer, and there have been reports that they urged him not to move because they were planning to acquire him in 2027.

The Anfield club are determined to add at least one new midfielder next year, and potentially more depending on outgoings. Alexis Mac Allister is facing an uncertain future after being told that he won't have his contract extended beyond 2028 - despite his impressive form this term.

Monaco would prefer to keep Camara until the end of the season, but with their financial issues still unresolved, they might be willing to consider January offers, although they do also have other players they could offload, such as the aforementioned Balogun and Mika Biereth.

In any case, it is clear that they won't offer another discount like in the summer, when they were so desperate for funds that they almost sold him for just €55m. Monaco believe that Camara is at least a €70m player.

Would Liverpool be prepared to shell out that much in January? It remains to be seen, but according to Daily Mail journalist Lewis Steele, they seem to be closing in on a possible deal for the Senegal ace.

Speaking to Anfield Index, Steele revealed that Chelsea have already resigned themselves to the fact that Camara is likely to end up at Liverpool.

"I think the Camara thing is one that just won’t go away, and everyone you speak to seems to think Liverpool are in for him," Steele explained. "Going back to one of my colleagues who covers Chelsea, he says that even Chelsea are pretty much saying Liverpool have done a lot of legwork on Lamine Camara."

Steele is convinced that Liverpool need another body in midfield, so a move for Camara would tick a lot of boxes. With Chelsea's relationship with Monaco "torched," the Reds might just have a free run at the 22-year-old.