Everton’s £40m attempt to sign Folarin Balogun from Monaco collapsed at the deadline after the player had a last-minute change of heart, a decision that subsequently derailed Chelsea’s pursuit of Lamine Camara. Balogun arrived at Merseyside to finalize the transfer, but concerns arose during his medical in the afternoon.
Following the disruption to the Balogun deal, Monaco pivoted to sell Camara. In a dramatic turn, Everton renegotiated the terms for Balogun, which forced Monaco’s hand. Despite reaching a full agreement to sell Camara to Chelsea, Monaco withdrew from the deal as the 11pm deadline passed, leaving Chelsea furious.
Chelsea also opted against withdrawing from their £125m sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City, acting out of good faith.
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Sky Sports chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol explains why Chelsea sold Enzo Fernandez to rivals Manchester City despite the last-minute collapse of their deal to sign Lamine Camara from Monaco.
However, just after midnight on Wednesday, news broke that Balogun had reversed his decision and walked away from the Everton move, further infuriating both Monaco and Chelsea.
This drama adds to Balogun’s turbulent 2026, which already saw the American international embroiled in a World Cup red card controversy involving Donald Trump.
Everton now find themselves with just one recognized senior striker until January in Thierno Barry, following Beto‘s departure to Fiorentina and Manchester United’s rejection of a loan offer for Joshua Zirkzee. The Toffees’ attacking options were further weakened by the exit of Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City, although they secured Jack Grealish on an additional loan.
The Balogun drama in chronological order
- Everton agree a fee with Monaco for Folarin Balogun.
- Balogun arrives on Merseyside for his medical and to complete the formalities of the move.
- Chelsea have multiple bids rejected by Monaco for Lamine Camara, leading them to consider other targets.
- Chelsea agree to sell Enzo Fernandez to Man City for £125m, feeling comfortable with their squad options if no replacement arrives.
- 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 a deal with Monaco for Lamine Camara, relying on the expectation that the Balogun transfer would resolve their sale needs.
- Manchester United reject Everton’s loan offer for Zirkzee.
- Everton grow in confidence that they can complete the Balogun signing after renegotiating the terms with Monaco.
- Chelsea’s deal to sign Camara collapses after Monaco withdraws from the agreement; the reinstated Balogun deal had satisfied their need for a sale.
- Balogun has a change of heart and walks away from the deal after a deal sheet was submitted.
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Re-live all the thrills and spills from Transfer Deadline Day on Sky Sports News.
‘Chelsea are really unhappy’
Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekol on Chelsea’s failed bid for Lamine Camara:
“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.”
