Monaco says Balogun rejected Everton move after medical concerns

Folarin Balogun withdrew from a proposed £40 million transfer from Monaco to Everton after concerns were raised during his medical assessment, according to Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro.

The deal was still being negotiated late on the final day of the transfer window. Scuro said Monaco and Everton had signed the relevant agreement after using the Premier League’s mechanism for extra time to complete paperwork, but the United States international then declined to sign his contract.

According to Scuro’s account at a press conference in Monaco on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Balogun was dissatisfied with the way Everton handled questions about his health and did not feel comfortable committing to a long-term deal. Everton had revised the proposed payment structure after its medical team identified an issue requiring further assessment.

Everton’s position, as reported by the Guardian, was that Balogun arrived later than planned from France and that Monaco was slow to provide medical records, leaving limited time to resolve the concerns. Scuro disputed the significance of the medical issue, saying Monaco’s staff and the player’s personal medical team did not share Everton’s assessment.

The collapse also affected Chelsea’s attempt to sign Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara. Chelsea had reached a reported £47 million agreement for Camara while Monaco sought to raise funds. Scuro said Monaco withdrew from that arrangement when Everton indicated it was ready to complete the Balogun transfer. Once Balogun pulled out, neither move was completed.

Balogun, 25, therefore remains with Monaco. The episode left the French club under pressure to find another sale in a market whose transfer window remains open, as it works to comply with domestic financial rules.

Sky Sports also reported the deadline-day breakdown as a dispute involving Everton, Chelsea and Monaco. No completed transfer was announced for either Balogun or Camara.