Liverpool are set to end the summer transfer window without bringing in a new central midfielder, while Chelsea could still complete two such signings before the deadline.

Liverpool have been dealt another transfer-market setback, with Premier League rivals Chelsea now appearing to have won the race for AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara.

As per Italian transfer journalist Nicolo Schira, the Blues are in the closing stages of agreeing terms for the Senegal international, having outbid the Reds in the final phase of the summer window.

Reports last week had stated that both Liverpool and Chelsea were seriously considering moves for the highly rated 22-year-old, whose displays in Ligue 1 have helped mark him out as one of Europe’s finest young central midfielders.

While Liverpool stopped short of turning their interest into a firm push, Chelsea have acted with greater urgency to move talks forward and close the deal.

Chelsea’s readiness to spend heavily late in the window, while also pursuing both Camara and AS Roma’s Manu Kone, suggests a significant departure is imminent at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues’ decision-makers must believe they are close to receiving a major financial boost from the sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City.

With City understood to be willing to pay a huge fee to sign Fernandez, Chelsea are moving to reinvest those expected funds by adding more physicality and bite to their midfield before the Argentine’s departure is officially confirmed.

Failing to sign Camara is a setback that worsens an already fragile squad picture at Anfield. Liverpool’s schedule has them competing in four competitions, with only three first-team central midfield options in Dominik Szoboszlai — who may also be needed at right-back — Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.

Head coach Andoni Iraola’s tactical approach is famously demanding, built on intense pressing, vertical football and relentless off-the-ball effort. Trying to carry that out with limited personnel in central midfield could leave Iraola facing a challenging few months.

Chelsea securing Camara could also risk stirring long-standing frustration within the Liverpool fanbase once again.

Supporters are still uneasy about the fact that the club have never properly replaced Fabinho since the Brazilian holding midfielder left three years ago. Although stop-gap solutions and more attack-minded central players have filled the role, Liverpool have continued to lack a specialist defensive midfielder who can break up counter-attacks and provide balance.

Camara’s mix of aggression and athleticism would have made him an ideal solution to that persistent issue.

Instead, Chelsea now seem to have edged past their rivals for another elite target.