AS Monaco manager Filipe Luis said on Wednesday, just hours after the transfer window shut, that Lamine Camara (22) is “probably affected” by his failed move to Chelsea FC.

An agreement between Monaco and Chelsea was reached in the closing hours of the window, but the Principality side then pulled back from the deal as they instead tried to sell Folarin Balogun to Everton. A departure was required before the deadline for financial reasons. The USMNT forward's proposed move to Merseyside then collapsed, but only after Monaco had chosen to keep Camara, who had been the subject of Chelsea interest for nearly a fortnight, as club CEO Thiago Scuro disclosed in a press conference in Monaco.

Scuro said the Senegal international had asked him to help make a move to Stamford Bridge happen, with the Brazilian also stating that discussions had taken place between the player and Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso. “As with many other players, better things will come in the future. This is not the end of the world. It’s just one possibility for a player on his level with his talent. I’m very confident that soon he will have even better options and offers than the one he had yesterday,” added Scuro.

Camara must now move on quickly. A clash against Paris Saint-Germain awaits him and his Monaco teammates on Friday night. Filipe Luis has, however, acknowledged that the former FC Metz midfielder is “probably affected” by the whole episode. “Probably, with everything, there is something in his mind that is affected,” began the Monaco manager. “But, honestly, he is a special kid; he is a very special person. It is easy to work with him. The football world knows about Lamine. Other clubs are looking at him. If he just maintains [his level], it won’t just be one club – all the big clubs will come for him.”

Luis also said that Camara will feature against PSG. “He is 100% able to play, and he needs to play. His head needs to be where he loves, on the pitch,” said the Monaco manager. Luis further revealed that the Senegal midfielder will serve as one of his vice-captains this season, alongside Eric Dier and Lukas Hradecky. Denis Zakaria will wear the captain's armband.