Arsenal have joined Chelsea and Liverpool in the race to sign AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, with all three clubs eyeing a January move for the 22-year-old.
Journalist Graeme Bailey reported that representatives from the Premier League trio were present at Monaco’s 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain last Friday to run the rule over Camara.
The Senegalese international played a key role in that result, helping his side stun the Parisians in what was a significant upset in Ligue 1.
Chelsea had previously come close to signing Camara during the summer transfer window, with a £47 million deal agreed between the clubs before Monaco pulled out of the agreement.
The Blues had been seeking a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who was sold to Manchester City in the final hours of the summer window, making Camara their primary target.
Despite that collapsed deal, interest in the midfielder has only intensified rather than faded, with the competition for his signature now considerably stronger heading into the winter window.
Arsenal’s involvement is somewhat surprising given the depth Mikel Arteta already has in central midfield, with the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Bruno Guimaraes, and Myles Lewis-Skelly all available to him this season.
Spending £47 million on Camara could potentially compromise Arsenal’s ability to invest in attacking areas, suggesting their interest may be more observational than genuinely competitive at this stage.
Chelsea and Liverpool, by contrast, could benefit more immediately and significantly from adding a player of Camara’s quality and age to their respective squads.
Monaco’s own financial situation may ultimately prove decisive, as the Ligue 1 club reportedly need to raise funds and could therefore be open to selling Camara midway through the current campaign if the right offer arrives in January.