AS Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro has revealed that Folarin Balogun opted against signing for Everton due to his treatment in Liverpool.
Balogun’s proposed move to Everton collapsed at the 11th hour on deadline day, after the US international performed a U-turn on his decision to move to Merseyside.
Everton had a deal in place to sign the 25-year-old for a fee of around £38.5m, though the deal stalled amid concerns over the player’s medical.
After news broke that Balogun had failed a medical, it was later confirmed the forward had decided against completing the transfer.
Monaco chief executive Scuro has now opened up on the failed move, and the French side’s decision to pull the plug on Chelsea’s move for midfielder Lamine Camara.
“During the day, we had a clear agreement for Balogun to go to Everton. Balogun flew yesterday morning to go for medicals and sign a contract. Our plan worked very well in this moment in terms of revenue generation, squad planning, player transfers,” Scuro told a press conference, reported by Get Football News France.
“Thilo (Kehrer) going, as announced, opened the space in the salary that we needed with the DNCG (French football’s financial watchdog). Balogun, besides the salary, was also an important source of income for the club, which would help us also to balance the season.”
Scuro continued that it was ‘normal’ for clubs to get a second opinion on concerning medicals, but said the reservations from Everton ‘made no sense’.
“Balogun was in Liverpool undergoing his medical. Everything was going pretty well. Around 7 p., 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.”
“Made no sense at all”: Scuro says Everton’s medical concerns led Balogun to say “I’m not comfortable signing a long contract”
He added that Balogun was behind the transfer’s collapse, as the forward was ‘not comfortable’ signing a long contract amid his treatment by Everton.
“Five minutes to close the transfer window there, for us to finish all the paperwork between Monaco and Everton and ‘Balo’. I signed the contract. Everton signed the contract.
“At the last moment, the players decided not to sign. 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. 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.”