The Collapse of a Deadline-Day Deal
AS Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro has revealed the sequence of events behind Folarin Balogun's failed transfer to Everton on deadline day, describing how the American striker ultimately decided not to sign after Everton's medical staff raised concerns that Monaco and the player's own medical team rejected.
Speaking to Get French Football News, Scuro said there was a clear agreement in place for Balogun to join Everton. "During the day, we had a clear agreement for Balogun to go to Everton," he said. "Balogun flew yesterday morning to go for medicals and sign a contract."
The deal was worth a significant fee to Monaco, with Everton prepared to pay £40 million, according to Bleacher Report. Scuro described Balogun as "an important source of income for the club, which would help us also to balance the season."
The Medical Dispute
According to Scuro, the transfer began to unravel when Everton's medical staff raised concerns about Balogun's fitness four hours before the deadline. "At 4pm, Balogun was in Liverpool undergoing his medical. Everything was going pretty well," Scuro said. "Around 7pm, we were contacted by Everton, raising questions about Balogun's medical, which, for our medical staff, as well as for the player's personal medical staff, made no sense at all."
Scuro said the explanations offered by Everton were not enough to justify concerns about the player's future health. "The explanations were not enough to justify or to bring concerns regarding the future of the player, which there aren't," he said.
The sporting director said Everton took two-to-three hours to go deep into the assessment and consult other doctors, a process he described as normal when a club's medical staff raises concerns. Reports that Balogun had failed his medical surfaced in the media while these consultations were ongoing, according to Scuro.
Bleacher Report, citing Scuro's account, noted that Everton ultimately realized there was no issue and decided they were ready to sign the contract, with both clubs completing the necessary paperwork around 11 m. in Monaco. However, Balogun then decided he was "not feeling comfortable" with Everton's handling of the situation, as reported by Bleacher Report.
Balogun's Decision
Scuro said the player's decision came at the last moment. "At the last moment, the player decided not to sign," he told Get French Football News, quoting Balogun as saying: "I'm not feeling well because Everton's medical department raised doubts about my future or my health. I have nothing [wrong with me], so I'm not comfortable signing a long contract here."
Scuro stressed that Monaco respected the decision. "On Everton, I was not there. We have to respect [Balogun's] decision," he said. "The reality is that when 'Balo' mentioned to us this feeling that he was not comfortable, he didn't want to sign, we didn't see ourselves in a position to push him."
What's Next for Balogun and Monaco
With the English transfer window closed, Scuro said Monaco are now waiting for Balogun's return to discuss next steps. "We are now waiting for Balo's return so we can sit down, discuss, and decide together on the next steps," he said, as reported by ESPN's Mark Ogden. "Other markets remain open [Turkey, Saudi Pro League], and we are holding discussions regarding various players, including Balo. Yes, it is possible that other players who are not currently our primary focus may leave within the next 48 hours."
Scuro also revealed that Monaco had held firm against Chelsea's advances for Lamine Camara during the window, part of a broader financial strategy that combined player sales with wage relief.
Impact on Everton
Balogun's reversal leaves Everton stretched at striker, according to Bleacher Report. The club sold Beto to Fiorentina, leaving Thierno Barry as the only natural No. 9. Tyrique George or Tyler Dibling could be deployed in the role but are better out wide, the report noted. Balogun, 25, was seen as a solid option for the forward line after scoring 13 goals and providing four assists in 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season, adding five more goals in the Champions League. He also impressed for the United States at the World Cup.
Bleacher Report described the window as having gone "couldn't have gone much worse" for Everton manager David Moyes, noting that the club might be able to sign free agents but will have to wait until January for any serious reinforcements. By then, the report suggested, Balogun could be on a different club entirely.