Folarin Balogun will remain with AS Monaco after his proposed £40 million transfer to Everton collapsed in extraordinary circumstances following the Premier League transfer deadline.
The United States international traveled to Merseyside on Deadline Day after Everton and Monaco agreed a deal for his transfer. Balogun underwent his medical at Everton’s Finch Farm training base, but an unspecified issue discovered during the examination created doubts over whether the move would be completed.
Everton initially reconsidered the transfer because of the medical concern. However, the club did not immediately abandon its pursuit of the 25-year-old.
Instead, Everton and Monaco renegotiated the agreement.
The revised structure reduced the amount Everton would pay upfront and increased the portion of the transfer dependent on add-ons. Everton then submitted a deal sheet to the Premier League before the 11 p.m. deadline, giving the clubs additional time to complete the transfer.
At that point, Balogun’s move appeared to have been rescued.
It was not.
Balogun Decided Against Everton Move After Deadline
After midnight, Balogun changed his mind and decided not to complete the transfer.
ESPN reports that the striker pulled the plug on the deal despite Everton and Monaco having renegotiated the agreement and obtained additional time to finalize it. Balogun left Everton’s training ground without signing and returned to Monaco.
That distinction is important.
The medical problem initially placed the transfer in jeopardy and forced Everton to renegotiate with Monaco, but it did not ultimately prevent the clubs from finding another agreement. Everton remained prepared to complete the signing.
Balogun’s subsequent decision not to proceed ended the transfer.
Reuters also reports that Everton identified an issue during the medical and renegotiated the original agreement before Balogun ultimately decided against joining the club.
No specific medical condition has been publicly confirmed.
Everton Tried Zirkzee and Abraham Before Returning to Balogun
The uncertainty surrounding Balogun’s medical forced Everton to explore alternatives during the final hours of the window.
Everton approached Manchester United about taking Joshua Zirkzee on loan and made an inquiry for Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham. Both approaches were unsuccessful.
That left David Moyes’ team in a difficult position after allowing Beto to join Fiorentina and Iliman Ndiaye to move to Manchester City.
Everton consequently returned to negotiations with Monaco and found a revised structure for Balogun’s transfer.
His late change of heart means Everton have been left with Thierno Barry as their only recognized senior center-forward, unless the club turns to the free-agent market.
Balogun Returns to Monaco
Balogun now remains under contract with Monaco.
There is no immediate Premier League move available after the English transfer window closed, and the latest reporting does not establish that Balogun will definitely leave Monaco in January.
His failed departure has also created consequences for his current club.
Monaco’s planned move for Cruz Azul midfielder Erik Lira collapsed because Balogun remained with the Ligue 1 side. Monaco needed to create a non-EU registration place, and Balogun’s expected departure would have helped provide it.
The situation also affected Chelsea.
When Balogun’s Everton transfer initially appeared likely to collapse, Monaco agreed to sell Lamine Camara to Chelsea. Monaco subsequently withdrew from that £47 million agreement after Everton revived the Balogun deal. Balogun then walked away from Everton after midnight, leaving Camara at Monaco as well.
Balogun therefore returns to Monaco after coming extremely close to joining Everton.
The £40 million transfer was agreed, his medical produced a concern, Everton and Monaco renegotiated the deal, and Everton secured extra time to complete it.
But with the transfer once again ready to proceed, Balogun changed his mind and chose not to sign for Everton. He remains a Monaco player.
