If you ask people what they remember as the biggest offense of the World Cup, it’s very likely that the answer is Trump’s phone call with the FIFA president and the red card ban for Folarin Balogun that was lifted. The US international was an innocent third party in all the chaos, but his name will forever and forever be linked to this low. On Deadline Day, Balogun is once again in the spotlight, this time being responsible for some chaotic transition hours before the market closes.
Everton were heavily linked with Folarin Balogun, with a possible transfer vacillating back and forth, but on Deadline Day it looked like a transfer would go through. Balogun had already arrived on Merseyside to complete his move from Monaco to Everton, but after a dramatic day, the deal collapsed just after midnight, reports Sky Sports and The Athletic.
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Everton already had a deal with Monaco, but during Balogun’s mandatory medical check-up, problems arose that cast doubt on the transfer. Everton therefore tried to renegotiate the deal with Monaco.This included a lower transfer fee and more bonuses, writes The Athletic.
While the deal was in jeopardy, Everton explored options and enquired with Manchester United about Joshua Zirkzee. That offer was rejected, as Manchester United did not believe the club had enough time to find a replacement.
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Later in the day, hopes grew that the Balogun deal could still be completed. Everton and Monaco signed new deals, and Everton submitted a deal to the Premier League.
It is an official document that clubs can use on deadline day to get extra time to complete the paperwork. It helped give the club two extra hours to get the deal done after the deadline, but just after midnight, the final nail was hammered in the coffin.
Balogun is said to have chosen to withdraw from the transfer himself and left Everton’s training ground at Finch Farm without signing, it is reported.
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This puts Everton in a very difficult position. The club has already sold Beto to Fiorentina and now has Thierno Barry as their only established striker.
