Liverpool now open agent talks to sign “unbelievable” £60m Arsenal target

Liverpool have opened talks to sign AS Monaco star Lamine Camara, and the timeline for a potential deal has now been revealed.

Camara specialises in a defensive midfield role, which is an area in which Andoni Iraola needs to strengthen, according to Daniel Sturridge, who said earlier this season: “I think the team needs a defensive midfielder personally.

“We’ve been talking about the defensive midfielder at Liverpool for the past three years. Gravenberch coming into the team, playing consistently and Liverpool winning the Premier League changed that philosophy. But if you actually analyse the midfield, they’re all naturally more attacking players.”

After his move to Chelsea fell through on deadline day, when AS Monaco made a last-minute U-turn and decided not to sanction the sale, Camara has remained a key player for the French side, starting all of their Ligue 1 matches this season.

During that time, the Senegalese maestro has continued to showcase his ability to win back possession, averaging 5.2 tackles per 90, which is the highest number in the Monaco squad, while an average of 9.2 recoveries per 90 also ranks him in first place.

REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff

Monaco manager Filipe Luis will be delighted to have kept hold of the 22-year-old, after saying during the summer: “I hope to keep him. You see the player he is – unbelievable. Until the end of the transfer window, anything can happen. Everyone hopes that he stays. He’s elite.”

However, the race for Camara is starting to heat up, with the Reds recently making a push to secure his signature ahead of a number of rival Premier League clubs.

Liverpool open agent talks to sign Lamine Camara

REUTERS/Manon Cruz

According to a report from Caught Offside, Liverpool have now been in talks with Camara’s agents, in an effort to understand what sort of wages he would demand.

However, there is widespread interest from elsewhere, with Arsenal and Manchester City also in the race for the central midfielder, alongside Chelsea, who remain keen despite their deadline day deal falling through.

However, Monaco are now expected to hold out for £60m, rather than £47m, in light of the Senegal international putting in some impressive performances in Ligue 1 so far this season.

In a 1-1 draw at RC Strasbourg last weekend, the Liverpool target assisted his side’s solitary goal, recorded a pass-completion rate of 92%, and completed four tackles, the joint-highest number of any player, in what was a solid all-round performance.

Liveprool also targeting Manu Kone

REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli

Camara isn’t the only midfielder of interest to Liverpool, with it recently being revealed they have also made an approach to sign AS Roma star Manu Kone.

Kone is known to be keen on a move to the Premier League, which Iraola’s side could use in their favour, and Roma have set an asking price of £50m, which means he would be a more affordable addition to the squad.