Everton’s attempt to secure Monaco’s striker Folarin Balogun collapsed after the player had a change of heart, a development that also disrupted Chelsea’s pursuit of Lamine Camara. Balogun arrived in Merseyside on deadline day with the expectation of finalising a £40 million move, but concerns emerged during his medical examination. Those concerns prompted Monaco to pivot and put midfielder Camara on the market instead.
In response, Everton renegotiated Balogun’s terms in an effort to keep the transfer alive. Despite an earlier agreement for Camara to join Chelsea, Monaco pulled the plug after the 11 p.m. transfer deadline had elapsed, leaving the Blues incensed.
Chelsea also had an opportunity to back out of a £125 million deal to send Enzo Fernández to Manchester City, but they chose to honour the agreement out of principle. After midnight on Wednesday, news broke that Balogun had decided against moving to Goodison Park, walking away from the deal and further aggravating both Monaco and Chelsea. Balogun’s saga adds another chapter to his turbulent 2026 season, which already included a high‑profile World Cup red‑card incident that attracted commentary from former President Donald Trump. The fallout leaves Everton with only one recognised senior striker—Thierno Barry—until the January window, after Beto’s departure to Fiorentina and the rejection of a loan bid for Joshua Zirkzee by Manchester United.
The club’s attacking depth was already weakened by Iliman Ndiaye’s move to Manchester City, though Everton did secure another loan for Jack Grealish. The sequence of events unfolded as follows: Everton initially agreed a fee with Monaco for Balogun, and the striker travelled to Merseyside for his medical and paperwork. Meanwhile, Chelsea submitted several offers for Camara, all of which Monaco rejected, prompting the English club to explore alternative targets. Doubts about Balogun’s deal surfaced, leading Everton to make an offer for Zirkzee on loan with an option to buy.
Chelsea eventually struck a deal with Monaco for Camara, but that agreement collapsed when Monaco withdrew after the deadline, reviving Everton’s hopes of completing the Balogun transfer. However, Balogun ultimately submitted a change‑of‑mind form and abandoned the move. Sky Sports’ Vinny O’Connor summed up the chaotic situation, questioning how Everton managed to halve a strike force that was never prolific.
He criticised the timing of Beto’s exit before Balogun’s deal was sealed and described the failed pursuit of Zirkzee as evidence of a panicked end‑of‑window strategy. O’Connor also highlighted the sale of Iliman Ndiaye, noting that while a £65 million fee—four times the amount paid two years earlier—was agreed, many fans still felt the price was insufficient. He recalled earlier deadline‑day setbacks involving a £60 million move for Ndiaye to Tottenham, the collapse of a Kenny Tete transfer, and the club’s indecision over a £40 million offer for Harrison Armstrong from Nottingham Forest.
The pundit stressed that Everton’s supporters deserve some optimism despite the disappointment. He pointed to versatile players such as Ainsley Maitland‑Niles, who can cover both full‑back positions, and the return of Jack Grealish on loan as positive signs. He also praised the progress of young talents like Hayden Hackney, the Championship Player of the Year, who showed promise against Crystal Palace, and Christian Nørgaard, whose experience could be vital after Idrissa Gueye’s departure. Additional bright spots include the loan‑to‑permanent deal for Tyrique George and the swap that sent Dwight McNeil to Crystal Palace in exchange for Brennan Johnson, a move that relieved some pressure on the squad.
Nevertheless, O’Connor argued that the manager, David Moyes, has again been denied the resources needed for success. Last season the club failed to sign a right‑back and a proven striker; this season they are left with Thierno Barry as the only recognised front‑man until January. Given these constraints, mounting a serious challenge for European competition appears unlikely, though that should not automatically be deemed a failure. Peter Smith of Sky Sports offered a different perspective on Balogun’s personal ambitions.
The former Arsenal academy product had finished the previous season in fine form and enjoyed a high‑profile start to the World Cup, where he was celebrated in the United States. However, a red card and the subsequent controversy involving President Trump’s comments on his suspension shifted the narrative. Although the incident was not Balogun’s fault, it forced him to navigate a turbulent media storm. After the tournament, offers from Europe’s elite clubs failed to materialise, even after Balogun changed agents.
A move to Everton was never his original summer goal. While he has relished playing in Ligue 1 and the Champions League with Monaco, the Premier League does not hold the same allure for him as it does for other English‑trained forwards, despite interest from several top‑flight English clubs. Balogun’s decision to reject Everton is ultimately his own, and it will carry consequences for his career trajectory. The summer has already produced two dramatic twists for the American international, and the next steps remain uncertain.
Everton, meanwhile, must regroup, reinforce their attack, and hope that the January window provides an opportunity to bring in a quality striker to support Thierno Barry and the emerging talents that have shown promise this season.