Key Takeaways:
- Monaco withdrew from an agreement to sell Lamine Camara to Chelsea after reviving negotiations with Everton over Folarin Balogun
- Chelsea were left without a replacement for Enzo Fernandez after Monaco went back on the agreement during the final hours of deadline day
- Balogun ultimately changed his mind about joining Everton shortly after midnight, leaving Monaco without either transfer being completed
Monaco’s Deadline Day Dealings Anger Premier League Clubs
Monaco left both Chelsea and Everton frustrated after a chaotic sequence of transfer negotiations involving Folarin Balogun and Lamine Camara unfolded during the final hours of deadline day.
Everton had initially agreed a £40 million deal to sign Balogun, with the United States international arriving on Merseyside around lunchtime to complete the transfer. However, doubts over the move emerged after an issue arose during his medical.
The uncertainty prompted Monaco to alter their plans and proceed with the sale of midfielder Camara to Chelsea instead. A full agreement was subsequently reached between the two clubs over the transfer.
🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Two Monaco players set to leave the club on the deadline day ended up staying at Monaco.
• Lamine Camara's move to Chelsea was called off by Monaco at the last minute.
• Folarin Balogun's move to Everton was canceled as well, but this one was a personal decision… pic.twitter.com/GroPn9bmMD
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) September 2, 2026
Monaco Reverse Chelsea Agreement
The situation changed again when Everton renegotiated the terms of their deal for Balogun and revived the possibility of completing the striker’s move.
Once Monaco believed the Balogun transfer was back on, the Ligue 1 club returned to Chelsea and withdrew from the agreement to sell Camara.
The decision left Chelsea particularly unhappy with Monaco’s handling of the negotiations. The Blues believed an agreement had already been reached and were frustrated that Monaco reversed their position once another transfer became possible.
Chelsea were also left without sufficient time to pursue an alternative midfielder before the 11pm deadline.
Chelsea Left Without Enzo Fernandez Replacement
Monaco’s decision had further consequences for Chelsea because the Premier League club had already completed the £125 million sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City.
Chelsea had retained the opportunity to withdraw from the Fernandez transfer but chose not to do so, believing that agreements reached between clubs should be honoured.
The Blues were therefore left especially frustrated when Monaco subsequently backed away from the Camara deal, leaving them without the midfielder they had expected to bring in as Fernandez’s replacement.
Chelsea were understood to have viewed Monaco’s conduct as an example of the risks involved in leaving major transfer negotiations until the closing hours of the window.
Balogun Changes His Mind After Deadline
The situation took another dramatic turn shortly after midnight on Wednesday when Balogun reportedly changed his mind about joining Everton and walked away from the transfer.
It meant Monaco had withdrawn from their agreement with Chelsea over Camara in order to facilitate Balogun’s move to Everton, only for the striker’s transfer to collapse after the deadline had passed.
The remarkable sequence left Monaco facing frustration from two Premier League clubs while neither of the transfers around which their deadline day plans had revolved was completed.
Everton Left Short of Striking Options
The collapse of Balogun’s move also left Everton with limited attacking options until the January transfer window.
Thierno Barry remained their only recognised senior striker after Beto completed a move to Fiorentina and Manchester United rejected Everton’s loan approach for Joshua Zirkzee.
Everton’s attacking depth had already been reduced by Iliman Ndiaye’s departure to Manchester City, although the club did complete another loan deal for Jack Grealish.
Another Dramatic Episode for Balogun
For Balogun, the failed Everton transfer added another dramatic chapter to an eventful 2026.
The United States international had already attracted significant attention earlier in the year after finding himself at the centre of controversy following his red card at the World Cup.
His deadline day move appeared close to completion before medical concerns, renegotiated terms and his eventual change of heart brought one of the window’s most complicated transfer sagas to an unexpected conclusion.
