Balogun — who was at the centre of controversy at the World Cup after US President Donald Trump successfully intervened to force FIFA to suspend a red card so he could play against Belgium in the last 16 — had undergone a medical in England before Everton started to raise some concerns about his fitness.
Folarin Balogun’s 40 million pound ($54 million) move to Everton from Monaco collapsed hours before the transfer window closed because the United States striker pulled out over his “treatment” by the Premier League side, the Ligue 1 club’s managing director said on Wednesday.
I signed the contract, and Everton signed the contract,” Monaco managing director Thiago Scuro told reporters. Although the Premier League side decided to proceed with the deal — after a couple of hours of discussions between the two clubs’ medical departments — Balogun pulled the plug himself.
“Five minutes before the close of the (English) transfer window…
“At the last moment, the player decided not to sign. Balogun had emerged as a late target for the Toffees after Guinea-Bissau international Beto completed a move to Serie A club Fiorentina. They had discussed selling Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara to Chelsea if the Balogun deal fell through, but had pulled out of that when they thought their striker would leave — which he may yet do as some leagues have yet to shut their transfer windows.
