Transfer deadline-day manoeuvring involving Chelsea, Everton and Monaco ended with both Premier League clubs empty-handed after Folarin Balogun’s proposed move to Everton collapsed and Lamine Camara’s switch to Chelsea was abandoned.
The dramatic chain of events centred on Monaco’s need to raise funds before the window closed. The Ligue 1 club had been seeking about €150m (£129m) in player sales this summer and had generated €106m (£91m) before deadline day.
Camara, a 22-year-old Senegal international midfielder, had emerged as a Chelsea target as the club prepared to sell Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125m. Chelsea had also made enquiries about Roma midfielder Manu Kone, but Monaco initially refused to sanction Camara’s departure.
Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro said Chelsea first made contact at about 4pm on Tuesday, but were told the answer remained no after discussions lasting around 10 days.
Instead, Monaco expected to complete the sale of United States striker Balogun to Everton for about £40m. The forward had travelled to Merseyside, with the clubs attempting to resolve an issue that emerged during his medical.
With three hours remaining before the 11pm deadline, Chelsea were understood to be satisfied with their midfield options despite Fernandez’s departure. That changed when uncertainty over Balogun’s Everton transfer reopened the possibility of Camara moving to Stamford Bridge.
Negotiations between Chelsea and Monaco resumed at about 8pm, with the proposed fee rising to approximately £47m. Chelsea completed the necessary paperwork and did not require a Premier League deal sheet, the document used to obtain extra time when a transfer agreement is reached close to the deadline.
Everton, meanwhile, had struggled to find an alternative to Balogun and revived their own deal in the final minutes of the window. Monaco then submitted a deal sheet shortly before 11pm, allowing the club additional time to complete the striker’s transfer.
Scuro said Monaco withdrew from the Camara agreement after being told Everton were ready to sign Balogun’s contract.
“As soon as we received that information, we came back to Chelsea and said there was no deal,” he told reporters. “Because that’s also fair. It’s part of the game.”
Monaco’s decision angered Chelsea, who believed the transfer had been agreed. The London club claimed it was informed in writing that the deal would not proceed rather than being contacted by telephone.
Camara had reportedly passed a medical, signed a contract intended to run until 2033 and spoken to manager Xabi Alonso before the move was halted. Scuro acknowledged that the player was disappointed by the reversal.
The late decision ultimately failed to deliver Monaco the sale it needed. The Premier League confirmed that Everton’s proposed signing of Balogun did not progress beyond the deadline, leaving the striker at Monaco and Camara without his move to Chelsea.
