It's happening, Genuine fear at Chelsea that Liverpool will sign star

Chelsea appear to believe that Liverpool are closing in on a transfer. It's one that deals a blow to the Blues.

Liverpool and Chelsea have something in common right now: they're eager to sign a midfielder. Both clubs came out of the summer lighter in their options than they intended and now need to put things right.

The Reds sold Curtis Jones, after all, and never signed a replacement. They didn't even really try, in fact, and that's despite going into the summer looking like a squad that could really use a midfielder.

Chelsea also sold a midfielder. Enzo Fernández joined Manchester City in a mammoth deal but the Blues' attempts to replace him fell short right at the deadline. They're still trying to find someone who can fill what were big shoes at the club.

Naturally, that means the two clubs are fighting over very similar targets.

The Lamine Camara battle

Chelsea thought they had Lamine Camara signed at the transfer deadline. The deal collapsed, however, largely because AS Monaco and the player himself thought a better deal would materialise if they waited.

We know that because Monaco's owner just came out and said it. It's expected 2027 will be when Camara moves, likely for a large transfer fee.

But will it be to Chelsea? It seems not. Liverpool have been linked heavily since the transfer deadline, with many assuming that it was the Reds who made Monaco aware that a bigger deal was to be had if they waited.

Journalist Lewis Steele has pretty much confirmed that. He told Anfield Index that even Chelsea are aware of the amount of legwork that Liverpool have done on Camara towards a deal.

We imagine that's why they're so strongly linked with other midfielders, such as Arsenal's Martín Zubimendi (the Independent). Though that might also be because Chelsea remain determined to sign every footballer on the planet.

Liverpool do appear to be in a very strong position with Camara. They've got Chelsea concerned and the Reds' need for a more controlling midfielder in the middle makes the Senegal star a natural target.

We're big fans, too, so our fingers are crossed that Camara eventually makes the move to Anfield. Things certainly sound positive.