Monaco have effectively confirmed that the Standard were right to flag Lamine Camara as one to watch, with the Ligue 1 club now acknowledging a January sale cannot be ruled out. That development places Liverpool and Chelsea firmly on alert as the winter market edges closer.

Camara’s situation has been simmering since the summer, when Chelsea moved to secure the Senegal midfielder in a deal worth £47m. As previously reported, terms were in place and a long-term contract was expected to follow, before Monaco dramatically reversed course late in the process. The move collapsed, but interest has not faded.

The key detail now centres on Monaco’s financial planning. Chief executive Thiago Scuro has outlined a preference to generate funds elsewhere, specifically through the sale of Florian Balogun, which would reduce pressure to cash in on Camara during the January transfer window. His comments were revealing, both in intent and in what they left open.

“The original plan is to find a solution for Balogun. If we find that, it will give Monaco the opportunity to keep Lamine and Golovin until the end of the season,” Scuro told RMC Sport. “That is the ideal plan, but we can’t control the decisions and what will happen in the winter.”

That wording matters. Monaco clearly want to retain Camara if circumstances allow, but they are stopping short of guarantees. Should there be no market for Balogun, or should a major proposal arrive for Camara, the equation could change quickly.

Liverpool’s interest is understandable. Camara is dynamic, tactically sharp and capable of operating across midfield roles. Chelsea, meanwhile, remain closely associated with the player after coming so near to completing a deal. For both clubs, this now looks like a situation to track rather than force, at least for the time being.

Camara has also struck a calm tone publicly. “There was a possibility I could leave,” Camara explained before Monaco’s draw with Strasbourg last Saturday. “It didn’t go through at the last minute and that’s part of football. I’ve turned the page and am focusing on the season.

“I can help the team a lot. Football moves fast. Maybe other opportunities will come along. But for now, I’m staying focused on the season with Monaco.”