Updated

Updated · The New York Times · Sep 2

Monaco Reopens Balogun Exit After 25-Year-Old Rejects Everton Move Over Medical Dispute

Updated

Updated · The New York Times · Sep 2

Monaco Reopens Balogun Exit After 25-Year-Old Rejects Everton Move Over Medical Dispute

Q: What secret medical issue spooked Everton enough to derail a signed deadline-day transfer?

No secret medical issue has been publicly identified. What is known is that Everton’s medical flagged concerns serious enough to make the club renegotiate the transfer terms, but neither Everton nor Monaco disclosed the exact problem. Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro said the issue was debated for hours between the clubs’ doctors and that Monaco, along with Balogun’s personal medical team, did not believe it was significant enough to stop the move. According to Scuro, the bigger factor in the collapse was Balogun’s reaction to how Everton handled the medical. He said the striker felt uncomfortable that doubts were being raised about his future health and ultimately chose not to sign, even after the paperwork had been completed and a deal sheet filed with the Premier League. Some reports described it as Balogun having “failed” the medical or as an “underlying physical issue” affecting his immediate availability, but those reports did not specify a diagnosis. Based on the available evidence, the precise medical concern remains undisclosed, and the transfer appears to have fallen apart because of both the medical doubts and the player’s decision to walk away.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 2

Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro said Folarin Balogun will return to the club for talks on a possible transfer elsewhere after his deadline-day move to Everton collapsed.
Both clubs had signed the paperwork and filed a Premier League deal sheet, but Balogun pulled back after a renegotiated agreement and a medical review that Scuro said lasted two to three hours.
Scuro said the 25-year-old felt mistreated by Everton and was unsettled by doubts raised over his future health, while Monaco believed the medical concerns did not justify blocking the move.
Monaco may still try to sell Balogun before Thursday with markets in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. open, as his departure had been part of the club's summer financial plan.
Everton's failed pursuit leaves Thierno Barry as their only recognized No. 9 after Beto's exit, while Balogun heads back to Monaco after scoring 19 goals last season.