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The unwanted controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's summer was supposed to have been put to rest back in July.
Belgium's clinical dismantling of the U.S. men's national team in the World Cup round of 16 should have neatly closed the chapter on the turmoil that Balogun's suspended ban had ignited. Yet, for the second time within just a few months, the likable striker has found himself at the heart of another whirlwind of chaos.
U.S. President Donald Trump wasn't responsible on this occasion—or so it seems. To understand exactly what went wrong in Balogun's botched transfer to Everton, we must unravel the chain of consequences stretching from Manchester to Mexico, involving nearly half the Premier League and the most costly deal struck anywhere this summer.
Timeline of Events Caused By Folarin Balogun's Everton Transfer Saga
Failed Medical Sees Balogun Transfer Collapse
Deadline Day kicked off with Balogun appearing set for a move to Everton. The Toffees had struck a $54.1 million (£40 million) agreement with Monaco on Monday, clearing the path for the USMNT World Cup standout to complete a medical at the club's Finch Farm training facility.
However, unspecified "concerns" emerged during those standard checks. Balogun had not featured in Monaco's matchday squad for any of their first four games of the new campaign, with his last competitive appearance being that difficult afternoon in Seattle against Belgium.
It remains unclear what triggered Everton's concerns, but they weren't serious enough to fully derail negotiations. In fact, they gave David Moyes's side grounds to return to Monaco and renegotiate Balogun's transfer fee. Meanwhile, attention began shifting elsewhere.
Everton Explore Move for Joshua Zirkzee
Amid the uncertainty surrounding Balogun, Everton made a last-minute approach for Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee, The Athletic later reported. The Dutch forward was receptive to the interest after reportedly rejecting advances from Fiorentina, but United were unwilling to let him go.
The Red Devils would have been left with just one natural, senior center forward—an increasingly injury-prone Benjamin Šeško—with only hours left in the window had Zirkzee's departure been approved. And it would not be the only deal taken off the table.
Chelsea Strike Agreement With Monaco for Lamine Camara
While Monaco were navigating Balogun's uncertain situation, there was also the matter of Lamine Camara's proposed switch to Chelsea. Well-connected French journalist Romain Molina claimed that Monaco sporting director Thiago Scouro had been "boasting and demanding" over $80 million for his key midfielder—until Balogun's situation became unclear.
Monaco only needed to complete one significant sale on Deadline Day to balance their finances—which explains why they initially played hardball over Camara's fee while Balogun's deal was still in play. Once that certainty evaporated, Scouro's stance was believed to have softened.
With several hours still remaining in the transfer window, Monaco accepted a fee of $63.7 million (£47.1 million) for Camara, who had been earmarked as Enzo Fernández's successor at Stamford Bridge.
Everton, Monaco Agree to New Balogun Deal
Despite the doubts raised by a questionable medical, Everton managed to negotiate a lower fee with Monaco for Balogun. Having had their Zirkzee inquiry rejected and with Beto sold to Fiorentina, Moyes was in urgent need of a striker to share the attacking burden with Thierno Barry.
There was sufficient confidence among all three parties that a deal was imminent, prompting Everton to submit a deal sheet—signed by the player—granting them a two-hour window to finalize all remaining details after the 11 p.m. BST deadline.
Monaco Back Out of Camara Transfer, Chelsea Furious
Camara had agreed personal terms with Chelsea, signing a typically generous six-year contract, and a written club-to-club agreement had reportedly been submitted. However, once Balogun's transfer appeared to be back on track, Monaco reversed their position—leaving Chelsea furious.
Even though the Balogun fee ultimately didn't materialize, no deal sheet had been filed for Camara, meaning there was no possibility of any awkward reversals in the early hours of the morning.
Chelsea Opt Not to Pull Plug on Enzo Fernandez Move to Man City
£100m. Twice over. pic.twitter.com/MuPDAM6pAo
Chelsea had already seen a move for Manu Koné fall through by the time Monaco pulled the rug out from under them. The Blues could conceivably have followed suit and blocked Fernández's record-matching transfer to Manchester City, but the club chose to let their unsettled star depart.
As has been widely reported, Chelsea "preferred to honor their word."
Balogun Decides to Stay at Monaco, Ending Everton Transfer Saga
A fee had been agreed, the medical concerns set aside, and Chelsea had been rebuffed as an added bonus—what looked like a satisfying Deadline Day conclusion for Monaco. And then Balogun changed his mind.
What actually prompted this dramatic decision has yet to be explained beyond vague statements. Balogun was absent from Monaco training the following morning, with speculation mounting about a potential move to a league whose transfer window remained open. Whatever the reasoning, the fallout extended well beyond Balogun and Everton.
Balogun Transfer Chaos Costs Mexico's Erik Lira Dream European Move
One final casualty of the chaos was Erik Lira. One of Mexico's standout performers at the World Cup had been identified by Monaco as a late addition. Cruz Azul's dynamic midfielder would not have been a like-for-like replacement for Balogun on the pitch, but Lira required the American international to depart in order to fill his non-E.U. spot on Monaco's squad.
With Balogun still technically registered at the club, there was no room for Lira, who had also attracted interest from Sunderland before opting to pursue a move to the French principality.