A dramatic chain of deadline-day events has left Everton, Chelsea and Monaco frustrated after two major transfers collapsed within hours of the window closing. Folarin Balogun’s proposed £40 million move from Monaco to Everton fell apart after the United States international rejected the transfer, while Chelsea were denied a £47 million deal for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara.
Balogun had travelled to England and completed the initial stages of the transfer process. Everton submitted a deal sheet before the 11 p.m. deadline to secure additional time, but the move still collapsed after the striker changed his mind. Everton had attempted to renegotiate the original agreement after an issue emerged during his medical, and Balogun subsequently decided that he wasn’t comfortable signing a long-term contract under those circumstances.
Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro said the club believed Everton’s handling of the medical process contributed directly to Balogun’s decision. Scuro defended Monaco’s conduct and indicated that the player felt uncomfortable with how the situation had been managed. Monaco disputed any suggestion that Balogun was unfit to play, creating a sharp disagreement between the French club and Everton over the reasons for the collapse.
The failed transfer had consequences beyond Balogun. Monaco had initially agreed to sell Camara to Chelsea for £47 million after the London club identified the Senegal international as the preferred replacement for Enzo Fernández, who joined Manchester City for £125 million. Camara had completed a medical and was expected to sign a six-year contract with an option for an additional season, but Monaco withdrew from the agreement after Balogun’s move to Everton became uncertain.
Chelsea were left without their primary midfield target despite having a written agreement with Monaco. The collapse also left the club needing to reassess its plans after Fernández’s departure, while Camara remained at Monaco. The failure to complete either transfer turned a day of apparent progress into a damaging setback for both Premier League clubs.
Everton’s situation is particularly serious. The club had already agreed to sell Beto to Fiorentina, expecting Balogun to replace him as the main senior striker. When concerns emerged over the Monaco forward’s medical and negotiations stalled, manager David Moyes explored alternatives. Everton made late approaches for Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee and Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham, but proposed loan moves were rejected.
Moyes then returned to the Balogun deal in an effort to rescue the transfer, but the player ultimately walked away after midnight. Everton were therefore left with Thierno Barry as their only senior central striker for the first part of the season.
Monaco also suffered financially and strategically. The club had expected Balogun’s sale to create room for Camara’s departure, but the collapse of both deals left the Ligue 1 side with the American forward still on its books and without the £47 million fee from Chelsea.
The episode became one of the most extraordinary stories of the 2026 summer window. Everton lost their planned striker, Chelsea missed out on Fernández’s replacement and Monaco failed to complete two interconnected sales. All three clubs must now manage the consequences of a deadline-day sequence that unravelled after the paperwork appeared to be nearing completion.
