Everton's Folarin Balogun deal falls through amid medical concerns, prompting Chelsea to abandon Lamine Camara transfer

Everton appeared set to complete the signing of United States striker Folarin Balogen on Tuesday after agreeing a €45 million deal with Monaco and arranging his medical at the club’s Finch Farm training ground. The player arrived in Liverpool on a private jet, but the flight was delayed and Everton’s medical team raised concerns about the player’s health, prompting Monaco’s chief executive Thiago Scuro to say the club was contacted about “questions on the medical of Balogun” that “made no sense” for the player’s future.

The medical issue led Monaco to reconsider its transfer strategy. While Monaco had previously indicated a willingness to sell Balogun and retain Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara, Chelsea seized the opportunity and entered negotiations for Camara. By 8 p.m. a €55 million agreement was reached, and Camara completed a medical and agreed to a six-year contract with the London club.

However, after Everton and Monaco amended Balogun’s deal to include more performance-based add-ons, Monaco informed Chelsea at 11 p.m. that the Camara transaction was cancelled. Scuro described the club’s decision as “extraordinary and deeply unprofessional.” The Premier League’s one-hour extension allowed Everton and Monaco to sign a dealsheet just before the deadline, but Balogun ultimately declined to sign, citing discomfort with the medical concerns raised by Everton.

The fallout left Everton without a new striker, forcing the club to rely on existing forward Thierno Barry and consider January signings. Monaco missed a key source of funds and now faces a challenging match against Paris Saint-Germain. Chelsea’s pursuit of Camara was halted, and the player’s agent expressed disappointment with the handling of the negotiations.

Both clubs indicated they wish to avoid further conflict, with Scuro noting the need for better coordination across different national transfer windows.