Monaco to Explore New Options for Folarin Balogun After Everton Deal Falls Through
Monaco's chief executive said the club will discuss possible transfers for striker Folarin Balogun, whose move to Everton collapsed following medical concerns and the player's decision to stay.
Monaco will hold talks with striker Folarin Balogen about a potential transfer after his deadline-day move to Everton collapsed, club chief executive Thiago Scuro said on Wednesday. The player, 25, had been set to join the Premier League side, but a renegotiated agreement fell apart amid medical issues that emerged during his examination.
Scuro told a press conference that both clubs had already signed paperwork and submitted a deal sheet to the Premier League, but Balogun chose not to proceed, saying he felt uncomfortable with the situation. "Balo mentioned to us this feeling that was not comfortable, he didn’t want to sign," Scuro said, adding that the medical concerns raised by Everton were not sufficient to justify the transfer.
The Monaco chief indicated the club remains open to offers from other markets, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States, and hopes to reach a decision by Thursday. "We still have other markets open which we are having discussions … different players including Balo, let’s see what can still happen until Thursday," he said.
Balogun, who joined Monaco from Arsenal in 2023 and scored 19 goals across all competitions last season, was a key figure for the French side and featured for the United States at the World Cup. Monaco’s departure plan for the striker was part of its broader financial strategy, which typically sees players sold after three seasons.
Everton, meanwhile, has yet to secure a permanent striker following the exits of Beto to Fiorentina and Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City, leaving Thierno Barry as the only recognized No. 9 in the squad.