Folarin Balogen's Transfer to Everton Falls Through After Medical Concerns

USMNT forward Folarin Balogun, 25, stayed at AS Monaco after a deal with Everton collapsed in the final hours of the summer transfer window. Everton had agreed a fee of around €47 million for the striker, but the club’s medical team raised fitness concerns during the player’s examination. The concerns were later dismissed, and the clubs briefly reinstated the agreement, but Balogun chose not to proceed, citing discomfort with how the situation was handled.

Monaco’s sporting director Thiago Scuro said Balogun “is not feeling comfortable with the way the club treated me. I’m not comfortable with the doubts raised about my future or my health. I have no issue, so I’m not comfortable signing a contract here.”

Everton now faces a shortage of attacking options after the departures of Iliman Ndiaye and Beto, while Monaco’s transfer strategy was also disrupted. The club had been negotiating the sale of midfielder Lamine Camara to Chelsea, but the pending Balogun deal led Monaco to pause those talks. With Balogun remaining at Monaco, Chelsea is left without a replacement for Enzo Fernández, whom it sold to Manchester City for a joint-record €146 million.

The episode highlights the impact of last-minute negotiations and the role of player consent in soccer transfers, where moves can be halted if the player does not agree to the terms.