Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro has explained how Folarin Balogun’s proposed transfer to Everton broke down on the final day of the summer transfer window, despite the clubs having already signed the paperwork needed to complete the deal.
Monaco had initially been willing to sell the striker to Everton. The move was expected to provide the French club with a significant financial return and help balance its budget.
The proposed transfer also formed part of Monaco’s wider decisions on deadline day. Chelsea were attempting to negotiate a deal for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, but the Ligue 1 club were not prepared to let the Senegal international leave.
Monaco’s plan was therefore to complete Balogun’s sale while keeping Camara in the squad. The income from the striker’s transfer would have helped the club’s finances without forcing it to part with the midfielder.
Balogun travelled to England to complete the move and underwent a medical examination. However, Everton subsequently contacted Monaco to raise concerns about the results of the assessment.
Scuro said those concerns were difficult for both Monaco’s medical team and representatives of the player to understand. Despite the questions raised by Everton, the clubs had already signed the contracts prepared for the transfer.
The deal ultimately failed to go through after Balogun decided against joining Everton. As a result, Monaco had to return to the possibility of selling Camara, even though the club had originally wanted to retain him.
Everton, meanwhile, ended the transfer window with one experienced striker in their squad.
The collapse of the move meant that the planned sequence of transfers could not be completed. Monaco had been prepared to allow Balogun to leave and use the proceeds to strengthen its financial position while keeping Camara. Once the striker’s transfer was abandoned, the club’s options changed on the final day of the window.
Scuro’s account makes clear that the proposed move did not fail because Monaco had refused to sell Balogun. Instead, the breakdown followed Everton’s concerns after the player’s medical examination and Balogun’s subsequent decision not to proceed.
The transfer was therefore left incomplete even though the necessary contracts had already been signed. Monaco were forced to reconsider the situation involving Camara, while Everton finished their business with only one experienced forward available in the squad.
The episode marked a late change to the plans of all three clubs involved. Monaco had originally expected Balogun’s departure to generate substantial income, Chelsea were seeking an agreement for Camara, and Everton had been working towards adding Balogun before the medical concerns brought the proposed deal to an end.