Folarin Balogun's proposed move to Everton collapsed in dramatic fashion on Deadline Day after the Monaco striker walked away from the £40 million deal — a decision that has left both Monaco and Chelsea furious.
Balogun had travelled to Merseyside at lunchtime on Tuesday to undergo a medical and complete the formalities of the transfer. However, concerns emerged during the afternoon as the medical threw up an issue, casting doubt over whether the move would be finalised.
How the deal unravelled
With uncertainty surrounding the Balogun transfer, Monaco moved forward with plans to sell their midfielder Lamine Camara. Chelsea, who had seen multiple bids for Camara rejected earlier in the window, struck an agreement with the Ligue 1 club.
Meanwhile, Chelsea had also agreed to sell Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125 million. Comfortable with their squad depth, the Blues proceeded in good faith, choosing not to pull out of the Fernandez deal.
Everton then renegotiated the terms of the Balogun agreement with Monaco, reviving confidence that the deal could still be completed. This shift prompted Monaco to withdraw from their agreement to sell Camara to Chelsea — and they did so as the 11 pm transfer deadline passed, leaving Chelsea without the midfielder they believed they had secured.
In a final twist, Balogun had a change of heart about the move entirely. Just after midnight on Wednesday, it emerged that the Monaco striker had walked away from the Everton deal — even after a deal sheet had been submitted — leaving all parties empty-handed and enraged.
Chronology of a chaotic deadline day
Everton and Monaco reached an agreement on a fee for Balogun. The striker arrived on Merseyside for his medical and to complete the move's formalities. Chelsea, having had several bids for Camara rejected, turned their attention to other targets before agreeing to sell Fernandez to Manchester City for £125 million.
Doubts over the Balogun deal led Chelsea to agree terms with Monaco for Camara. Everton also made a loan approach for Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United — with an option to buy — though Manchester United rejected the offer. Everton's renewed confidence in landing Balogun prompted Monaco to pull out of the Camara-to-Chelsea agreement. Balogun then walked away altogether, leaving Everton, Monaco, and Chelsea to count the cost of one of Deadline Day's most turbulent sagas.
