Folarin Balogun’s £40m move to Everton in serious danger of collapsing – but Chelsea could benefit

Folarin Balogun’s £40million move to Everton is in serious danger of collapse, talkSPORT understands.

The USA international appeared primed to complete a deadline day switch to the Toffees, although an issue spotted at his medical has thrown the deal into jeopardy.

Getty

Ahead of the window slamming shut at 11pm on Tuesday, it’s thrown chaos into the deadline day plans of Monaco, who need to sell players.

One option available to them is agreeing to offload Balogun for a cheaper price than the £40m agreed with the Premier League side.

It’s understood Monaco had a replacement lined up for Balogun.

Another option for the Ligue 1 side is to revisit the potential sale of midfielder Lamine Camara.

The Senegal international has attracted interest from the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, with the Blues favourites to sign Camara this summer.

talkSPORT understands Chelsea were in advanced talks to land Camara, who is viewed by the Blues as the ideal replacement for Enzo Fernandez ahead of the latter’s likely departure to Manchester City.

However, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea consider this move as still active in this late stage of the transfer window.

David Moyes’ side have been in the market for a new presence up top, with Beto joining Italian club Fiorentina.

And Balogun is eyed as the ideal candidate, especially given his previous experience of English football.

Balogun’s Arsenal career

Balogun came through Arsenal’s famed academy and went on to make ten first team appearances for the club, including two in the Premier League.

However, it wasn’t until the 2022/23 campaign when Balogun truly broke out as he scored 22 goals while on loan at French outfit Reims.

Getty

Balogun’s haul prompted Monaco to sign him for an initial £25.7million in August 2023.

The ex-Gunners prodigy has since netted 31 goals in 91 appearances across all competitions for Monaco and was named their Player of the Season for the 2025/26 campaign.

Folarin Balogun became a lightning rod for controversy at the World Cup

Balogun also found himself at the centre of a political storm during this summer’s World Cup.

He was sent off for the United States during their Round of 32 contest against Bosnia, which the co-hosts won 2-0.

The red card meant Balogun picked up a one-match suspension, which ruled him out of the USMNT’s Round of 16 clash with Belgium.

Getty

However, Balogun’s ban was controversially overturned following intervention from United States president Donald Trump.

Balogun’s return ultimately mattered little as Belgium romped to a 4-1 win.