Folarin Balogun’s proposed £40m transfer from Monaco to Everton collapsed on deadline day after the striker walked away from the deal over how the club handled his medical assessment at Finch Farm, according to Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro.
The transfer window drama unfolded as Everton scrambled to reshape their attacking options following Beto’s permanent transfer to Fiorentina. The Toffees initially agreed to a fee structure for the 25-year-old United States international, and both clubs signed a deal sheet before the 23:00 BST deadline. But the move fell apart at the eleventh hour when Balogun had a change of heart and refused to sign.
Medical Disputes and the Breakdown at Finch Farm
The friction began late in the afternoon when Balogun arrived in Liverpool for his medical evaluations. Everton sources indicated the player arrived later than scheduled from France and pointed to delays in receiving medical records from Monaco. However, Scuro offered a different account of the afternoon’s events during a press conference in Monaco.
According to the Monaco chief executive, Everton officials contacted the French club around 19:00 to raise questions regarding the striker’s medical results. Scuro maintained that the concerns made totally no sense
to either Monaco’s medical staff or the player’s personal medical team. The ensuing discussions and medical consultations stretched across two to three hours.
“At the last moment, the player decided not to sign. And basically, the allegation of Balogun is that: ‘I’m not feeling well by the way the club treated me. I’m not feeling well by the way the medical department of Everton brought doubts about my future or my health. I have nothing [wrong with me], so I’m not comfortable to sign a long contract here.’ And that’s the way we finished our transfer window.”
Thiago Scuro, Monaco chief executive
Scuro also noted that media reports regarding potential issues with the medical surfaced within half an hour of the initial inquiries, alerting rival clubs to a possible opening.
Chelsea’s Late Pivot for Lamine Camara
The breakdown of the Everton transfer directly impacted another deadline-day deal involving Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara. As news of Balogun’s stalled medical spread, Chelsea moved quickly to strike a £47m deal to sign Camara as a replacement for Enzo Fernández, who was bound for Manchester City.
Monaco, under financial pressure in France to raise funds, initially agreed to the sale. But the dynamic shifted when Everton resolved their internal medical concerns and informed Monaco they were ready to finalize the paperwork for Balogun.
Scuro explained that once Everton committed to proceeding, Monaco immediately rescinded their agreement with Chelsea. As soon as we got the information, yes, we did come back to Chelsea and told them: ‘OK, we have our deal there. There is no deal on Lamine,’
Scuro said, adding that the club remains confident Camara will attract even better offers in the future.
Everton’s Wider Deadline Day Activity
Everton’s search for attacking reinforcements also saw the club explore moves for Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee and Aston Villa frontman Tammy Abraham, though neither player could be convinced to join Finch Farm. Despite missing out on Balogun, the Toffees successfully secured Jack Grealish on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
Grealish previously spent the 2025-26 campaign on loan with Everton, making 20 appearances before suffering a season-ending foot injury in January. The 30-year-old England international turned down interest from other suitors, including boyhood club Aston Villa, to reunite with David Moyes on Merseyside.
“I think I’m at my best at everything in life, not just football, when I feel loved. That’s what the manager has given me, what my team-mates have given me and especially what the fans have given me.”
Jack Grealish, Everton loanee
Balogun now returns to Monaco, leaving his immediate club future open as the French side continues to evaluate its financial obligations.
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