Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara says he has “turned the page” and is focusing on the Ligue 1 season after his £47.1m move to Chelsea collapsed.
The 22-year-old had completed a medical but the deal fell through shortly before the transfer window closed.
Two bids had already been rejected, but Monaco lowered their asking price in a turbulent end to the window when it looked likely that Folarin Balogun’s move to Everton was in doubt.
When Balogun’s transfer appeared to be back on track, Monaco appeared to change their decision to sell Camara, but in the end both players stayed with the Ligue 1 side.
“There was a possibility I could leave,” Camara said, speaking before Monaco’s game against Strasbourg on 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.”
Sources in France had stated Monaco needed to make a major sale this summer and preferred to sell Balogun. A source at the Ligue 1 club had previously indicated it would take a “substantial fee” to secure Camara’s departure.
Monaco have won their first three Ligue 1 fixtures of the season and sat second to Rennes in the table, with a game in hand, heading into the weekend.
“I can help the team a lot,” Senegal international Camara said.
“Football moves fast. Maybe other opportunities will come along. But for now, I’m staying focused on the season with Monaco.”