‘We never know…’ – Romano not completely ruling out Liverpool hijack for £51m midfielder

Fabrizio Romano hasn’t completely ruled out the possibility of Liverpool making a late move for a defensive midfielder who’s also wanted by one of their Premier League rivals.

Ben Jacobs reported in recent days that Lamine Camara of AS Monaco has been offered to the Reds and to Chelsea as a ‘late window opportunity’ for both clubs ahead of the Tuesday night deadline.

Andoni Iraola’s side have been linked with the 22-year-old throughout the summer, but time is now very much limited if they want to bring him to Anfield for this season, with reports from TEAMtalk citing an asking price of €60m (£51.4m).

What has Romano said about Lamine Camara?

On Saturday, Romano posted an update about the Senegal international on his eponymous YouTube channel, indicating that a late Liverpool swoop isn’t out of the question but affirming that Chelsea are very much in the box seat to secure his signature.

He said: “Many Liverpool fans asking me about Lamine Camara. It’s true that Liverpool were asking for conditions of the deal for Lamine Camara, but it was a few weeks ago. It was in July when they were trying to explore this possibility.

“In recent days nothing really moved between Liverpool and Lamine Camara, but let’s see. We never know in the market what happens. At the moment, the club really focused on Lamine Camara is Chelsea.

“For Liverpool, I’m not saying it as breaking news or important news. It’s normal for clubs to enquire about players for certain situations, but Liverpool never really advanced because Liverpool are not planning to sign a midfielder for now.

“I never know and you never know what happens in the final days of the window. We have to keep all the doors open, but at the moment Liverpool are not planning to sign a midfielder.

“For Chelsea, Lamine Camara is a serious option, Let’s see when or if they arrive with an official bid, but Monaco feel Chelsea are absolutely there.”

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Liverpool need a midfielder like Camara

Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest on Saturday once again highlighted their struggles in transition and being hit on the counterattack, with Iraola indebted to a brilliant block from Jeremy Jacquet and an even better save from Alisson Becker in the first half.

At one stage, a careless giveaway just past the halfway line gifted Dan Ndoye the chance to surge a good 50 yards unchallenged and put in a cross which would’ve led to a goal had Morgan Gibbs-White gambled on the delivery coming in.

The Reds’ need for a top-quality number 6 was exacerbated yesterday and has been apparent in recent games, and indeed for much of last season, but here we are two days out from the transfer deadline with no sign of one coming in.

With Camara boasting some excellent off-the-ball statistics in Ligue 1 last season (see below, via Fotmob), it seems perplexing that Liverpool wouldn’t at least consider a last-minute raid for him, especially if it means potentially thwarting a direct rival in Chelsea.

Unfortunately, it looks as though Xabi Alonso’s side are poised to bring him to the Premier League, but Richard Hughes must keep his hand in for the Monaco powerhouse, should there suddenly be an opportunity to pounce.

As Romano said, the final days of the transfer window can throw up all sorts of plot twists. That’s why, even if there may only seem a 1% chance of Liverpool signing Camara now, they mustn’t dismiss a move completely in case negotiations with Chelsea break down and the landscape changes dramatically.