Folarin Balogun’s chaotic transfer deadline-day drama may not be over yet, with AS Monaco still exploring ways to move the United States international before other transfer markets close.
The 25-year-old appeared on the brink of completing a $45 million move to Everton, only for the deal to collapse in dramatic fashion after concerns emerged during his medical examination at Finch Farm.
Now, Monaco are assessing fresh options, with the Turkish and Saudi Pro League transfer windows still open.
Turkey’s window closes on September 4, while Saudi Arabia remains an option until October 12, giving Balogun and Monaco possible routes out after a move that seemed close to completion suddenly unravelled.
Balogun reportedly travelled to Liverpool to undergo his Everton medical, but discussions surrounding the assessment delayed the proposed transfer.
Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro has since explained that the forward ultimately decided against signing for the Premier League club.
“We are still waiting for Balo to come back and to sit and discuss and to realise between us what is next,” Scuro said. “We still have other markets open, which we are having discussions in different players including Balo.
“Let’s see what can still happen until Thursday, because we still have markets that have the financial capacity to do something and this is what happened and this is where we are today.”
According to the account from Monaco, Everton raised questions after Balogun’s medical, leading to lengthy discussions between the relevant parties.
“The allegation of Balogun is that, ‘I’m not feeling well by the way the club treated me, the way the medical team brought doubts about my future or my health. I’m not comfortable to sign a long contract here the way we finished the transfer window here.’
“During the day, we had a clear agreement for Balogun to go to Everton, Balogun flew to Everton to undergo a medical.
“Balo was in Liverpool going through his medical, around 7 p.m. we had a call from Everton raising questions on the medicals of Balo, which for our medical staff, the personnel staff of the player, made totally no sense.”
The situation reportedly became increasingly complicated as the transfer deadline approached.
Monaco, Everton and Balogun had signed a Deal Sheet to secure additional time to complete the paperwork, but the proposed switch still failed to cross the line.
Scuro added: “I signed the contract, Everton signed the contract, at the last moment the player decided not to sign.”
The failed transfer also created a late domino effect elsewhere.
Monaco reportedly opened discussions with Chelsea over midfielder Lamine Camara, believing Balogun’s Everton departure would provide financial certainty.
However, once Monaco received assurances that the Balogun situation appeared to be progressing, they pulled back from negotiations involving Camara.
“It was already in the media that Balogun is failing the medical and of course, Chelsea saw the opportunity,” Scuro said. “‘Monaco needs money, Balo is strugglng there, let’s go, let’s try.’ This is the game.
“As soon as we got the information, we came back to Chelsea that we have our deal there and there’s no deal for Lamine.
“It’s fair to do this, it’s part of the game.”
But the deal eventually collapsed anyway. For Balogun, the coming days could now prove decisive.
A Premier League return has slipped away, but with Turkey and Saudi Arabia still open for business, the transfer story may yet have another dramatic chapter.
One deadline passed. One major move collapsed. But for Monaco and Balogun, the transfer window may not be finished with them just yet.
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