Folarin Balogun's Everton move collapses on Deadline Day, leaving club with one striker
Everton's proposed £40 million transfer for US international Folarin Balogun from Monaco collapsed on Deadline Day following a late change of heart by the player. This leaves the club with only one recognized senior striker for the initial half of the season [The Guardian]. The dramatic turn of events unfolded despite Balogun arriving on Merseyside for a medical and the submission of a deal sheet to the Premier League.
The 25-year-old striker's decision left multiple clubs frustrated, including Chelsea, whose efforts to sign Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara were complicated by the Everton-Balogun saga [Sky Sports Transfers].
A turbulent Deadline Day for Everton and Chelsea
Balogun's move to Everton appeared to be progressing earlier on Deadline Day, with an initial £40 million deal agreed between Everton and Monaco. However, issues arose during the striker’s medical, casting doubt on the transfer [The Guardian]. Concurrently, Chelsea had agreed to a deal to acquire Lamine Camara from Monaco, a move that was initially scuppered when Balogun's deal encountered problems [Sky Sports Transfers].
In an attempt to salvage the Balogun transfer, Everton renegotiated terms with Monaco, which reportedly involved a lower upfront payment and increased appearance-related add-ons. This revised agreement led Everton to grow confident of securing Balogun, and a deal sheet was submitted to the league, with Balogun signing it shortly before the 11 PM deadline [The Guardian]. At this point, Monaco withdrew from their agreement to sell Camara to Chelsea, believing the Balogun deal would proceed [Sky Sports Transfers].
However, just after midnight, it was revealed that Balogun decided against the move, walking away from the deal [Sky Sports Transfers]. This final decision infuriated both Monaco and Chelsea, who had seen their own transfer plans disrupted [Sky Sports Transfers].
Everton's depleted attacking options
The collapse of the Balogun deal leaves Everton with Thierno Barry as their sole recognized senior striker until the January transfer window [The Guardian]. This situation follows the departures of Beto to Fiorentina for £15.5 million and Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City for £60 million plus add-ons. Enquiries for Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee and Aston Villa's Tammy Abraham on loan were rejected [The Guardian].
The club did manage to secure Jack Grealish on another season-long loan from Manchester City, with the 30-year-old having had a productive previous loan spell before a foot injury [The Guardian]. Everton also completed the signing of former Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon for approximately £4.2 million on a three-year contract, addressing their right-back position [The Guardian]. Other fundraising moves included the sales of Tim Iroegbunam to Hull for an initial £15 million and Nathan Patterson to Torino for an undisclosed fee [The Guardian].
Ramifications for other transfers
The late developments surrounding Balogun had a direct impact on Chelsea's transfer window. The London club had multiple bids for Lamine Camara rejected before a deal was agreed, only for Monaco to withdraw when the Balogun transfer appeared back on track [Sky Sports Transfers]. Chelsea also had the option to withdraw from their £125 million sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City but proceeded out of good faith, further highlighting the interconnected nature of these Deadline Day dealings [Sky Sports Transfers]. Balogun's sudden change of heart ultimately meant Chelsea's deal for Camara collapsed [Sky Sports Transfers].
Reporting: Sky Sports Transfers, The Guardian