Balogun’s private‑jet touchdown at Liverpool John Lennon Airport seemed to seal his Everton switch.
The night before, Everton had clinched a €45m (€5m add‑ons) pact with Monaco for the U.S. striker.
Only a medical and final paperwork remained before the deal was done.
Everton had coveted Balogun all summer after his World Cup showcase.
With Balogun on board, Everton approved Beto’s €18m move to Fiorentina.
Yet his arrival triggered a series of events that ultimately scuttled Chelsea’s bid for Lamine Camara.
What follows is the chaotic finale involving Balogun, Camara, Everton, Chelsea and Monaco.
Optimism buzzed at Finch Farm after late signings of Balogun, Ainsley Maitland‑Niles and Grealish’s loan return.
All three underwent medicals at the training ground on Tuesday.
Balogun topped Everton’s wish list throughout the summer.
Weeks of talks finally bore fruit in the closing days.
Had he joined, Balogun would have become a top earner alongside Pickford, Branthwaite and Dewsbury‑Hall.
Monaco’s CEO Thiago Scuro said they had already lined up a replacement, ready to act.
Balogun netted 19 goals for Monaco last season, including a 10‑in‑10 run.
As deadline day wore on, Everton sensed warning signs about the move.
The jet from Nice was delayed, arriving at lunchtime instead of early morning.
Everton requested GPS data, a routine step, and grew uneasy over the readings.
Around 7 pm, Monaco warned Everton of a medical issue that could derail the transfer.
Scuro claimed the medical concerns made no sense to either club’s doctors.
He added that Chelsea, already in talks about Camara, sensed an opening.
Monaco had been willing to sell Balogun but keep Camara for another season.
Chelsea then pounced, having just sold Enzo Fernandez to City.
‘Monaco needs cash, Balogun is struggling – let’s move,’ Scuro explained.
By 8 pm Monaco began talks with Chelsea on 22‑year‑old Camara.
An hour later a €55m deal was struck between the clubs.
Everton scrambled, eyeing United’s Zirkzee and Aston Villa’s Tammy Abraham.
United received a Zirkzee offer at 8 pm after Everton’s 5 pm contact.
Abraham preferred to stay at Villa, and United declined the loan plan.
Then a late twist emerged.
Balogun’s medical flag prompted a restructure: lower upfront fee, more performance add‑ons.
His personal terms stayed unchanged.
Monaco told Chelsea at 11 pm the Camara deal was off, leaving the London club furious.
Everton and Monaco signed a dealsheet just before the 11 pm deadline.
The Premier League allows a one‑hour extension to finish paperwork, which they used.
At the last second Balogun withdrew, citing health doubts raised by Everton’s medical staff.
He said he felt uneasy and couldn’t sign a long contract under those conditions.
He called it the first time he’d seen a deadline‑day collapse like this.
Chelsea’s Camara paperwork remained unsigned, killing any revival hopes.
Balogun’s fallout also doomed Erik Lira’s move from Cruz Azul to Monaco.
The frantic finale benefited no one.
Monaco lost a vital sale, Everton were left with only Thierno Barry, Chelsea were left fuming, and Camara’s agent expressed disappointment.
Former Fulham striker Diomansy Kamara, Camara’s representative, posted on Instagram that African players deserve respect.
He warned against treating players as mere commodities whose wishes are ignored.
‘Every contract hides a person, a career, dreams,’ he wrote, urging clubs to listen to the player’s voice.
For Everton, it capped an underwhelming window – Ndiaye left for City, and fan backlash blocked Harrison Armstrong’s move to Forest.
A late ‘Toffee Doughnut’ tweet drew ridicule from supporters.
Owners Friedkin Group also juggled Italy’s deadline, with Gasperini blocking Manu Kone’s Chelsea move and Leweling’s Stuttgart switch falling through.
Everton now plan a January striker signing, relying on Barry meanwhile, with George, Johnson and Dibling as alternatives.
Monaco now turns its focus to a daunting PSG away fixture on Friday.
Scuro appeared weary, saying he didn’t want to start a war with Chelsea or Everton.
French Football News reported Camara returned to training Wednesday, while Balogun remained absent.
‘I only spoke to Balogun by phone,’ Scuro said, noting his decision seemed final.
He added respect for Lamine, who was likely excited by Chelsea’s promises.
Scuro lamented the French window closing at 8 pm, earlier than England’s, hampering replacement plans.
He suggested aligning with countries that keep their windows open longer.
Monaco manager Filipe Luis said he expects Camara to feature against PSG tomorrow night.
Balogun now sits in a tricky spot under the spotlight again.
His World Cup red‑card saga sparked debate after a presidential intervention overturned the suspension.