Everton's pursuit of Monaco forward Folarin Balogun collapsed after the striker reversed his decision, a development that also derailed Chelsea's bid for midfielder Lamine Camara. Balogun had travelled to Merseyside on deadline day to finalise a £40 million move, but concerns surfaced during his medical examination, prompting Monaco to pivot and offer Camara instead. In a further twist, Everton attempted to renegotiate Balogun's terms in order to keep the deal alive, while Chelsea, who had already secured an agreement to bring Camara to Stamford Bridge, saw Monaco pull the plug after the 11 p.m.
transfer window closed, leaving the London club furious. Chelsea also had the option to abandon a £125 million transfer for Enzo Fernández to Manchester City, but they chose to honour the agreement out of principle.
After midnight on Wednesday, news broke that Balogun had experienced a change of heart and walked away from the Everton contract, aggravating both Monaco and Chelsea even more. This episode adds another chapter to Balogun's turbulent 2026, following his involvement in the World Cup red‑card controversy that attracted commentary from former President Donald Trump. The fallout leaves Everton with a severely depleted striking department.
With Beto departing for Fiorentina and a loan request for Joshua Zirkzee rejected by Manchester United, the only senior forward still on the books until the January window is Thierno Barry. The club's attacking depth was further eroded by the sale of Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City, although they did manage to secure another loan spell for Jack Grealish.
The sequence of events unfolded as follows: Everton reached a fee agreement with Monaco for Balogun, the striker arrived for his medical, and hopes were high. Simultaneously, Chelsea submitted multiple offers for Camara, all of which Monaco rebuffed, prompting the English side to explore alternative targets. Doubts about the Balogun transaction emerged when the medical revealed a minor issue, leading Monaco to shift focus to Camara.
Everton then attempted to renegotiate Balogun's contract in a bid to salvage the move, while Chelsea continued to pursue Camara despite the uncertainty surrounding the Everton deal. When Monaco withdrew from the Camara agreement after the deadline, Chelsea's plan collapsed, and the club’s frustration grew.
Balogun, however, submitted a change‑of‑mind notice after the paperwork had been filed, effectively ending the transfer. Sky Sports' Vinny O'Connor summed up the chaos, questioning how Everton managed to halve a forward line that was never prolific, and highlighting the amateurish timing of allowing Beto to leave before Balogun's deal was sealed. He also criticised the failed loan attempt for Zirkzee and the sale of Iliman Ndiaye, noting that despite a £65 million price tag—four times the fee paid two years earlier—the deal still left many supporters dissatisfied.
O'Connor pointed out that Everton's window was further complicated by the potential sale of young talent Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest for £40 million, a move that would have required careful consideration given David Moyes' public insistence on strengthening the squad. He praised the versatility of Ainsley Maitland‑Niles, the return of Jack Grealish on loan, and the promising debut of academy graduate Hayden Hackney against Crystal Palace.
He also highlighted the midfield addition of Christian Nørgaard and the permanent signing of Tyrique George after a successful loan spell, as well as the swap deal that sent Dwight McNeil to Crystal Palace in exchange for Brennan Johnson. Despite these positives, O'Connor argued that the club's lack of a proven striker and a reliable right‑back left Moyes with limited options, forcing him to rely on Barry as the sole recognised forward until at least January. He concluded that, given the circumstances, expecting Everton to challenge for European competition would be unrealistic, and that the season should not be deemed a failure solely on that basis. Peter Smith of Sky Sports added that Balogun harboured ambitions to join one of Europe's elite clubs.
After a strong finish to the previous season and a high‑profile World Cup performance that made him a hero in the United States, his stock was rising. Monaco, aware that Balogun had only two years left on his contract, aimed to maximise profit. However, the red‑card incident and the subsequent political controversy surrounding a Trump‑endorsed suspension complicated his narrative. Although offers from top European sides failed to materialise, and a change of agent did not alter the situation, a move to Everton was never Balogun's original summer plan.
During his tenure at Monaco, Balogun enjoyed Champions League football and the experience of playing on the continent. While the Premier League remains an attractive destination for many, the former Arsenal academy product has not been as eager to leave his current environment, despite interest from several English clubs. The decision to reject Everton was ultimately his own, and he must now live with the consequences. For the second time this summer, Balogun finds himself at the centre of a dramatic transfer saga, underscoring the unpredictable nature of modern football markets.