Folarin Balogun: Monaco striker's move to Everton falls through after deal scuppered Chelsea's chances of signing Lamine Camara
Folarin Balogun arrived on Merseyside at lunchtime on Deadline Day to complete the £40m move to Everton from Monaco; after midnight, it was confirmed that Balogun had a change of heart after the move also scuppered Chelsea's chances of signing Lamine Camara from Monaco
Wednesday 2 September 2026 01:51, UK
Everton's move for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun has fallen through after a change of heart from the player - after the deal scuppered Chelsea's chances of signing Lamine Camara.
Balogun arrived on Merseyside at lunchtime to complete the £40m Deadline Day transfer, but doubts then started to emerge about the deal being completed during the afternoon as the medical threw up an issue.
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As a result of this issue, Monaco then proceeded with a move to sell midfielder Camara. But in another twist, Everton renegotiated the terms of the deal for Balogun - which forced a dramatic move from Monaco.
With a full agreement to sell Camara to Chelsea in place, Monaco withdrew from the deal as the 11pm transfer deadline passed, which left the Blues furious.
Chelsea also had the chance to withdraw from the £125m move to sell Enzo Fernandez to Man City, but chose not to out of good faith.
But just after midnight on Wednesday, it was revealed Balogun had a change of heart about moving to Everton and walked away from the deal - which will only infuriate Monaco and Chelsea even more.
It also means Balogun's dramatic 2026 continues - after the American international was at the centre of the World Cup red card storm involving Donald Trump.
It leaves Everton with just one recognised senior striker until January in Thierno Barry, after Beto left for Fiorentina and Manchester United rejected a loan offer for Joshua Zirkzee.
Everton's attacking options were further diminished by the departure of Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City, but they did sign Jack Grealish on another loan deal.
The Balogun drama in chronological order
Everton agree fee with Monaco for Folarin Balogun.
Balogun arrives on Merseyside for medical and to complete formalities of the move.
Chelsea have multiple bids rejected by Monaco for Lamine Camara. They consider other targets.
- Chelsea agree deal to sell Enzo Fernandez to Man City for £125m. Comfortable with the options in their squad if no one comes in.
Doubts emerge around Everton's deal for Balogun.
Everton make an offer to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United on loan with an option to buy.
Chelsea agree deal with Monaco for Lamine Camara, due to the doubts about the Balogun deal.
Manchester United reject Everton's loan offer for Zirkzee.
Everton grow in confidence that they can get Balogun over the line after renegotiating with Monaco.
Chelsea's deal to sign Camara collapses after Monaco withdraw from the deal. The Balogun deal being back on satisfied their need for a sale.
Balogun had a change of heart and walked away from the deal after a deal sheet was submitted.
'Chelsea are really unhappy'
Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol on Chelsea's Lamine Camara's Chelsea move breaking down:
"Chelsea have not been able to sign a replacement for Enzo Fernandez. Chelsea are really unhappy with the way Monaco behaved.
"My information is everything was done - written, agreed, signed. He was flying into London [on Wednesday].
"At the same time, Monaco have been negotiating with Everton to sell Folarin Balogun. Once they have agreed a deal with Everton, they have come back to Chelsea and gone back on their agreement.
"Chelsea don't believe this is the way clubs should conduct business. I suppose this is one of the risks you take when you leave things so late."
