AS Monaco has officially announced that Folarin Balogun will not be part of their squad for the upcoming UEFA Conference League, a decision made public on Thursday, September 3. This development follows a tumultuous transfer saga involving the American striker, whose proposed move to Premier League side Everton fell through just days prior.
The transfer debacle unfolded on deadline day, where Balogun's potential transfer, valued at approximately $52.3 million (€45 million), faced multiple twists. Initially, the deal seemed set to go through, only to be halted after a medical examination at Everton raised concerns about his health. Despite Monaco's assertion that Balogun was fit, the medical staff at Everton reportedly found issues that led to the collapse of the transfer.
Monaco's CEO, Thiago Scuro, addressed the situation during a press conference, stating, "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." This statement highlights the tension surrounding Balogun's situation and casts uncertainty over his future with Monaco.
As of now, Balogun has not been included in the matchday squads for Monaco's first two Ligue 1 games and was also omitted from the roster for their upcoming clash against Paris Saint-Germain on September 4. However, the 25-year-old has resumed group training, indicating that he is working towards regaining his fitness and readiness for match play.
The decision to exclude Balogun from the UEFA Conference League roster raises eyebrows, especially considering the competition is set to begin its league phase in October. It may suggest that Monaco is still open to the possibility of transferring Balogun before the winter transfer window closes, a notion Scuro hinted at in his recent comments.
Nonetheless, the options for Balogun's transfer appear limited at this stage, with only a few leagues, such as those in Turkey, Portugal, and Saudi Arabia, still having open transfer windows. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen whether Balogun will find a new club or continue his career with Monaco amidst the ongoing uncertainty.
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