Folarin Balogun has been dealt a major blow just days after deciding against a deadline-day move to Everton. The AS Monaco striker has been omitted from the club's Europa Conference League squad and was also left out of the matchday squad for their game against PSG.
Deadline-day collapse
Everton had agreed a deal with AS Monaco in the region of £40 million to sign the United States international. However, the Liverpool ECHO understands that a significant issue was identified by the Toffees as Balogun was put through his paces in completing the required medical tests.
Around the same time, Beto sealed his £17 million switch to Fiorentina, leaving manager David Moyes and Everton's recruitment team frantically hunting for alternatives as the Balogun deal appeared set to fall through. Manchester United blocked an approach for Joshua Zirkzee, while Tammy Abraham turned down a move from Aston Villa, opting instead to remain part of Unai Emery's squad.
Monaco's version of events
The Toffees had submitted a deal sheet to sign Balogun, but the player ultimately decided against proceeding with the transfer, leaving Moyes with just one senior striker in Thierno Barry.
Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro shared his version of events at a press conference on Wednesday. Speaking about the transfer saga, he said: "Around 7 p.m., we were contacted by Everton, raising questions about Balogun's medical, which, for our medical staff, as well as for the player's personal medical staff, made no sense at all."
"I signed the contract. Everton signed the contract. At the last moment, the players decided not to sign," Scuro said. "And basically, Balogun's allegation is that I'm not feeling well because of the way the club treated me. I'm not feeling well because Everton's medical department raised doubts about my future or my health."
What's next for Balogun
"I have nothing (no health problem), so I'm not comfortable signing a long contract here. And that's the way we finish our transfer window," Scuro added.
"Now we are still waiting for Balo to come back for us to sit and discuss and to realize between us what's next," Scuro said. "We still have other markets open, which we are having discussions about with different players, including Balo. Let's see what can still happen until Thursday, because we still have markets that have the financial capacity to do something."
