Chelsea make approach to sign £42m Liverpool target

Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Crystal Palace have all made an approach to sign Lamine Camara from Monaco (Getty)

Chelsea have joined the race with Liverpool and Manchester United to sign Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, according to reports in France.

Camara has spent two seasons with Monaco after joining in a £12.8 million deal from Metz two years ago.

The 22-year-old has also made 49 appearances for Senegal and played in four games at the World Cup this summer.

This week, Crystal Palace have seen their offer in excess of £35m for Camara rejected by Monaco, who are trying to keep the defensive midfielder for at least another season.

But according to FootMercato, Monaco’s stance is likely to be tested even further as Chelsea are the latest club to have made an approach after Palace, Manchester United and Liverpool.

The report claims that Monaco are holding out for a €50m (£42.7m) transfer fee for the Senegal international.

Lamine Camara made four appearances for Senegal at the World Cup this summer (Getty)

Monaco are also in a strong negotiating position as Camara still has three years remaining on his contract with the Ligue 1 side.

Speaking after his side’s 3-2 win against Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday, Monaco head coach Filipe Luis made it clear that he wants Camara to stay at the club.