London (AFP) – United States striker Folarin Balogun’s £40 million ($54 million) move to Everton from Monaco collapsed hours before the transfer window closed on Monday. Reports said Balogun, who was at the centre of controversy at the World Cup after US President Donald Trump successfully intervened to force FIFA to suspend his red card, had undergone a medical in England before deciding against making the switch.
Some reports said 25-year-old Balogun backed out after the Premier League club tried to negotiate down the initial fee as a result of the issue revealed by the medical, which has not been made public. Balogun had emerged as a late target for the Toffees after Guinea-Bissau international Beto completed a move to Serie club Fiorentina. His decision to back out leaves Everton light on forwards for the new season, although they did secure the return of Jack Grealish on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City, for the second consecutive season.
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Everton also signed English defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles from French club Lyon. Balogun caught the eye with his performances at the World Cup this year, but after a red card he received in the USA’s defeat of Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32 ruled him out of the last-16 clash with Belgium, Trump intervened.
FIFA’s decision to suspend the card, allowing Balogun to play against Belgium, attracted widespread criticism aimed at the world football governing body’s chief Gianni Infantino, who developed a close relationship with Trump. The USA lost the game 4-1 and Balogun later admitted that the furore affecting the red card had affected the team’s performance.
Balogun, who was born in New York but grew up in London, has scored 31 goals in 91 appearances for Monaco.
© 2024 AFP
