Balogun’s Everton saga sparks Trump jokes
A deadline-day transfer involving Folarin Balogun took an unexpected turn, leaving fans with plenty to talk about. What started as a move to Everton became a late-night saga involving medical concerns, changing negotiations and an unlikely name from Balogun’s past.
As the clock ran down, the deal ultimately fell apart, and social media quickly had its own theories. What happened behind the scenes? Keep reading to follow the twists that made this transfer one of the window’s most unusual stories.
The medical became a key part of the story
The proposed transfer changed after Everton’s medical examination raised concerns about Balogun’s condition. Reports said the issue led the clubs to reconsider the financial terms of the agreement before the transfer could be finalized.
Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro later said Everton raised questions about the medical results several hours before the deadline. According to Scuro, discussions followed between the clubs and their medical teams before Everton indicated it was prepared to proceed.
Balogun ultimately chose to stay at Monaco
After the medical concerns and negotiations, Balogun decided not to complete the move to Everton. The striker remained with Monaco after the deadline passed without the transfer being finalized.
Scuro said Balogun was uncomfortable with the way questions about his health had been handled during the process. Everton had agreed to revised terms, but Balogun ultimately chose not to continue with the proposed move to Merseyside.
Everton had pursued Balogun as a striker option
Everton entered deadline day looking for attacking reinforcements after changes to its forward group. Beto completed a permanent move to Fiorentina, while Iliman Ndiaye also left Everton for Manchester City on the final day of the transfer window.
Balogun emerged as a late target after Beto’s departure, and Everton worked to secure him from Monaco. The club also explored moves for Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee and Aston Villa’s Tammy Abraham, but neither alternative was completed.
The proposed fee was around £40 million
Reports placed the proposed transfer value for Balogun at approximately £40 million before the medical issue changed the negotiations. Reuters reported that the proposed package was worth roughly $53.2 million to $54 million, with $5.8 million in potential add-ons.
The medical concern led Everton and Monaco to renegotiate aspects of the agreement. Although the clubs continued discussions and Everton sought extra time through a deal sheet, Balogun’s decision eventually ended the proposed transfer.
Everton used a deal sheet before the deadline
Premier League clubs can use a deal sheet when an agreement has been reached but the remaining paperwork cannot be completed before the transfer deadline. For a deal sheet submitted between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m., clubs can receive an additional 2 hours to submit the remaining documentation.
Everton used that mechanism while trying to complete Balogun’s transfer. The extra time did not produce a completed move, leaving the proposed signing unfinished when the transfer window officially closed.
Fans connected the transfer saga to Trump
The Balogun transfer story quickly brought Donald Trump back into online soccer discussions because of an earlier World Cup incident involving the striker. Supporters referenced Trump after reports that the proposed Everton move had collapsed following the medical and final negotiations.
Social media posts joked that Trump should intervene again to help Balogun, repeating a theme that had already appeared during the World Cup. The comments were fan reactions rather than evidence that Trump had any involvement in the Everton negotiations.
Interesting fact: Brad Friedel holds the Premier League appearance record among American players.
Trump had been linked to Balogun’s World Cup suspension
During the 2026 World Cup, Balogun received a red card during the United States’ Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. FIFA later suspended the implementation of his automatic one-match suspension, making him eligible for the following match against Belgium.
The Guardian reported that Trump had contacted FIFA about the suspension, while Trump later credited FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the decision. FIFA’s official announcement identified its Disciplinary Committee as the body that suspended the implementation of the ban.
Interesting fact: John Harkes became the first American to appear in the Premier League when he played for Sheffield Wednesday in August 1992.
Balogun had scored against Bosnia
Balogun played a major role in the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 World Cup. He scored the opening goal in the 45th minute, giving the United States an advantage in the Round of 32 match.
He was later sent off for a high challenge in the 64th minute, leaving the United States with 10 players. FIFA subsequently suspended the implementation of his automatic suspension, allowing him to appear against Belgium in the Round of 16.
The World Cup connection fueled the online jokes
Balogun’s World Cup suspension became part of the background to the jokes after his Everton transfer collapsed. Fans remembered the unusual sequence involving his red card, FIFA’s disciplinary decision and Trump’s public reaction during the tournament.
When the Everton deal later fell apart, social media users referenced that earlier episode while joking about another possible Trump intervention. The comments circulated online after the transfer deadline, but there was no reported Trump involvement in Everton’s negotiations.
Balogun is staying with Monaco for now
Balogun remains an AS Monaco player after the failed Everton transfer. Monaco’s official player profile records 91 appearances and 31 goals for the club through the 2025-26 season.
His most productive Monaco campaign came in 2025-26, when he scored 19 goals in 43 appearances across competitions. Monaco supporters voted him the club’s player of the season after his strongest campaign since joining the team.
The failed move affected another Monaco transfer
The Balogun situation was connected to another major deadline-day negotiation involving Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara. Chelsea had agreed a deal for Camara, but Monaco ultimately decided not to complete that transfer after it reopened negotiations over Balogun’s move to Everton.
Sky Sports reported that Chelsea, Everton, and Monaco were all affected by the late developments. Both Balogun and Camara remained at Monaco after the transfer window closed on September 1.
The internet is also talking about how Gianni Infantino was dealt another major blow as the Dutch FA called for new FIFA leadership.
Balogun remains with Monaco, but his immediate role is uncertain
Balogun remains under contract with Monaco after his proposed transfer to Everton fell through. The Premier League’s summer transfer window closed at 11 p.m. BST on September 1, and the January window is scheduled to open on January 1, 2027.
Monaco said Balogun had returned to group training, but he had not appeared in the club’s first 4 matches and was omitted from its Conference League squad. Everton, meanwhile, entered the post-window period without completing the late striker signing it had pursued.
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What do you think about the saga? Like and comment with your take!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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