Liverpool handed major boost in transfer chase for £60m sensation

Liverpool were linked with a whole host of players throughout the summer transfer window.

This was mainly because of how badly the Reds performed during Arne Slot's last season in charge.

In fact, the only reason why they even qualified for the Champions League is because of how well the rest of the country did in European competitions.

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And, while many moves were made in the summer, there are still some very noticeable gaps among their ranks that need filling.

Obviously, players are going to be linked with a Liverpool switch no matter what point of the season is but, clubs don't often get such big boosts for one of their main targets this far away from a window.

Chelsea do not want to pay £60 million for Lamine Camara but Liverpool still want to sign him

Lamine Camara's situation was one of the biggest stories on deadline day.

The Senegal international was on the cusp of joining Chelsea after Xabi Alonso allowed Enzo Fernandez to join Manchester City.

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However, for one reason or another, the Ligue 1 outfit pulled out of the deal which left Chelsea rather baffled.

Many reasons for Monaco dropping out of the deal were rumoured but, the main one was because Liverpool wanted to sign him in January.

And, even though they could have done a deal in the summer, they felt like it wasn't the right time for them to do so.

This meant that the move never came to fruition and left everything up in the air with Football Insider now sharing a fresh insight into the deal.

"Chelsea will not be willing to pay Monaco's new £60million asking price for midfielder Lamine Camara in January, sources have told Football Insider," they wrote.

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"The Blues saw a late £47m move for the 22-year-old collapse in the final hours of the summer window, and they are not prepared to up their offering at all this winter.

"Monaco's decision to pull the plug on the Senegal international's move to Stamford Bridge has opened the door for a whole host of admirers to move in.

"Sources say that Liverpool are among the clubs that remain hugely keen on Camara, and could potentially make a move for him this winter.

"The Reds are long-term admirers of the Monaco youngster, but did not feel that the timing was right for them to launch a move for him in the summer."

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Lamine Camara is the perfect midfielder for Liverpool

Liverpool may have just extended the contracts of Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch but, it feels like changes still need to be made to their midfield.

Singularly, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are among the best midfielders in the world.

Each of them are very good players but, for the system that Iraola is trying to use with a double pivot, none of them work that well together.

All three central midfielders are attack-minded and, while Mac Allister may have made the most defensive contributions, he's still not a natural number six.

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Camara, on the other hand, is an exceptional defensive midfielder.

The Senegal international is only 22 years old but he's already widely regarded as one of the best number sixes in Ligue 1.

He's won tonnes more duels than any of the Reds' midfielders this season and, when given the chance, he can also have quite a solid impact on the attack.

Obviously, there are a lot of things that still need to be ironed out in the deal but for now, it certainly feels like the Reds are in the drivers seat.

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