Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara has spoken for the first time about his failed deadline-day move to Chelsea.
The Blues had agreed a deal with the French club to sign the 22-year-old as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez following the Argentine’s £125million switch to Manchester City.
Monaco rejected two earlier bids before accepting a third, only to pull the plug late by failing to sign the necessary paperwork to submit a deal sheet to the Premier League.
Speaking at a press conference, Camara said the episode was “a hectic moment” but insisted it was simply part of professional football.
“I tried to be professional and not think too much about it. I tried to turn the page and focus on PSG,” he explained.
Asked if he had wanted to leave, Camara replied: “That makes you think that I wasn’t living in the present with the team.
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“There was the possibility. At the last minute, it didn’t happen. If another chance doesn’t come up, it is because I threw in the towel or didn’t work hard enough.
“Football moves quickly, and maybe other chances will come. For now, I am focused on what I can bring and on the season at Monaco.”
The Senegal international also revealed he received support from Monaco captain Denis Zakaria, a former Chelsea player.
“He spoke to me a lot the day after about what happened with the transfer. They helped me a lot to focus on the match versus PSG. Denis has played at top clubs, he says that these things happen.”
Monaco take on Strasbourg this weekend after a perfect start to the season, with 3 wins out of 3.