Crystal Palace have seen a huge offer for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara rejected, with the Eagles prepared to make the Senegal international their most expensive signing ever.
Palace’s verbal proposal was worth €50million (£42.5m), according to reports. The scale of the bid underlines just how highly the Eagles rate the 22-year-old.
Monaco have turned down the approach, but Camara is reportedly open to leaving the Ligue 1 club this summer.
Palace ready to smash their transfer record
A move for Camara would represent a major statement from Palace’s new era under Pierre Sage.
The midfielder has already established himself at international level, making 49 appearances for Senegal and featuring during their impressive World Cup campaign this summer. His performances on the biggest stage have only strengthened his reputation.
Palace clearly see enough in him to consider making an enormous investment.
Camara joined Monaco from Metz in 2024 for a reported €15m (£12.8m), having first developed in several of Senegal’s prominent youth academies before moving to France.
Now, just two years after arriving in Monaco, he could command a fee more than three times what the French club paid for him.
For Palace, the proposed €50m deal would comfortably smash their existing club-record transfer fee.
The rejection, however, doesn’t necessarily mean the Eagles’ interest is over.
Camara is understood to be ready for a new challenge this summer, while Crystal Palace have shown through the size of their offer that they’re serious about bringing him to Selhurst Park.
Chelsea and Manchester United also watching
Palace may not have the midfielder to themselves, either.
Chelsea and Manchester United are both considering moves for Camara, meaning the Eagles could face competition if they decide to push ahead with another offer.
The interest for Camara comes during a busy summer of recruitment for Palace.
Crystal Palace have already added Evann Guessand on loan from Aston Villa, brought in Dwight McNeil from Everton as part of the deal involving Brennan Johnson and signed former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu on a free transfer.
These arrivals are followed by Oscar Mingueza’s move from Celta Vigo, the first signing made under Sage after he replaced Oliver Glasner.
Camara would obviously be a different level of investment.
Palace are preparing to travel to Freiburg for their final pre-season friendly before the new Premier League campaign begins. The Eagles will then open their league season away at Everton on Saturday, August 22.
Whether Camara is part of Sage’s plans for that campaign remains to be seen.
For now, Monaco have rejected Palace’s huge proposal. But with the Senegal midfielder reportedly ready to move on and the Eagles having already shown they’re willing to go as high as €50m, this transfer saga could linger on till the window completes.
