Liverpool’s summer transfer business may be finished, but one name appears to have remained firmly circled on the recruitment team’s shortlist: Lamine Camara.

According to The Athletic’s James Pearce, the Reds retain a strong interest in the Monaco midfielder, who would have been their leading target had they decided to strengthen the position during the summer window.

That interest is backed up by David Ornstein, who reported that information reaching him around deadline day suggested Camara was Liverpool’s “top choice” if Alexis Mac Allister had departed Anfield. 

And suddenly, January feels worth watching. The 22-year-old Senegal international came remarkably close to leaving Monaco this summer. Chelsea agreed a deal worth around £47million and Camara underwent a medical, only for Monaco to pull out of the transfer at the eleventh hour. 

Camara has since addressed the saga himself, admitting there had been a possibility of leaving before insisting he has now “turned the page” and is concentrating on Monaco. Crucially, though, he added that other opportunities could arrive in the future. 

Liverpool could provide one of them. Recent reports have gone a step further, claiming the Reds have explored the possibility of a January deal with Camara’s representatives.

Monaco could understandably demand more for losing an important player midway through the campaign, with figures around £60million now being suggested. 

Camara is not necessarily the only midfielder on Liverpool’s radar. Ornstein has also revealed that the club like the look of Roma and France midfielder Manu Koné, another powerful, athletic option who attracted significant Premier League interest during the summer.  

Meanwhile, a report originating from Tuttomercatoweb claims Liverpool made an approach for Inter midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic during the summer, with his playing-time situation potentially making January worth monitoring. 

Yet Camara increasingly looks like the name that refuses to disappear. Young, aggressive, technically accomplished and capable of adding defensive bite without sacrificing Liverpool’s ability to play through midfield, his profile makes plenty of sense.

More importantly, Liverpool’s interest now appears to stretch beyond the usual transfer-window noise.

They chose not to buy a midfielder in the summer. Come January, they may decide they have waited long enough.

Would you be happy if Liverpool sign Lamine Camara in the January transfer window? Or do you think Liverpool need to strengthen the team in different areas of the pitch? Leave your thoughts and comments below.