Chelsea was overturned on the final day of the 2026 transfer window when Monaco withdrew from the deal to buy Lamine Camara

Chelsea was overturned on the last day of the 2026 transfer window

Chelsea reached an agreement to recruit Lamine Camara for a fee of 64 million USD, but Monaco suddenly withdrew at the last minute, leaving the English team unable to find a replacement on the last day of the transfer window.

According to EPSN channel, Chelsea initially sent an offer worth 52 million USD but was rejected by Monaco. The two sides then agreed on a fee of 64 million USD less than two hours before the deadline of 11pm on September 1. Camara plans to sign a 6-year contract with Chelsea once his medical examination is completed.

However, an unexpected development occurred when Monaco resumed negotiations and reached an agreement to sell striker Folarin Balogun to Everton - a deal that seemed to have broken down earlier in the day because of problems that arose during a medical examination. Because they only wanted to let Camara or Balogun leave, Monaco announced they were withdrawing from the agreement with Chelsea.

Chelsea believes that this is an unprofessional way of working and is especially disappointed that Monaco had a written agreement between the two clubs but still unilaterally changed the decision. Monaco did not even sign Camara's transfer confirmation (deal sheet) before the 11pm deadline. Therefore, Chelsea no longer has a basis to complete or restore the deal after the transfer window closes.

Ironically, not long after, Balogun himself withdrew from the deal to Everton. The American striker went to the English region of Merseyside to prepare to complete a transfer worth more than 50 million USD, but eventually changed his mind and stayed in Monaco. Thus, Monaco not only kept Camara, causing Chelsea to lose a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, but also could not sell Balogun to Everton.

Chelsea still had the opportunity to cancel the $169 million deal of Enzo Fernandez to Man City to retain the personnel plan for the midfield. However, the London team decided to respect the agreement that had been reached.

The deal broke down at the last minute, leaving Chelsea with more limited midfield depth than expected. "The Blues" only have Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco as the main options in midfield. Defender Reece James can also be used in this position, as in Chelsea's 3-2 win over Fulham in round one of the Premier League.

Last season, Camara scored three goals and four assists in 31 matches in all competitions for Monaco. The Senegalese midfielder also participated in the 2026 World Cup, playing in all four matches.

Camara is not the only African player who missed the opportunity to change clubs on the final day of the transfer window. Ismaila Sarr also cannot leave Crystal Palace, despite receiving interest from Liverpool and Galatasaray.

Diomansy Kamara, who played for Portsmouth, West Brom and Fulham, represents both Sarr and Camara. After his two clients were unable to complete the deals, he posted a harsh message on Instagram, accusing clubs of not respecting African players.

"The cases of Sarr and Camara force us all to reflect. African players deserve respect. Respect for their work, career, ambition and voice," Kamara wrote, adding that football needs to get rid of the view of African players as just a commodity, when the club can buy, evaluate, negotiate their future and decide their fate.

Kamara admitted that the fact that the club has the decisive say in professional football is a reality that is difficult to change. However, he questioned the role of players in decisions that directly affect their future. "Behind every contract is a person, a career, dreams and life choices," Kamara wrote. "Players must be listened to and respected in the decisions that determine their own future."