Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Folarin Balogun's proposed £40m move from AS Monaco descended into high farce in the early hours of Wednesday morning after the original deal was renegotiated when issues arose with his medical, ending with the United States striker deciding to walk away from Everton's Finch Farm training base without signing.

And all after Balogun, 25, and both clubs had signed the deal sheet allowing the move to be completed after Tuesday's 23.00 BST transfer deadline.

Everton had scheduled an 8am flight to bring Balogun to Merseyside, but he was unable to arrive until later in the day. Everton were also frustrated at a delay in receiving documents related to the deal from Monaco.

When the problem with his medical cropped up, it prompted Everton to pursue a loan deal for Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee, who was happy to sign but was not allowed to leave Old Trafford. A move was also made for Aston Villa's Tammy Abraham but did not progress as the striker wished to remain at Villa Park.

After failing to sign an alternative, a deal was eventually agreed with Monaco, minutes before the deadline, which would have resulted in a smaller up-front payment and a series of triggered payments based on how he progressed. The player's personal terms were unchanged.

It was only then that the former Arsenal striker had his change of heart, leaving Finch Farm with Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro telling journalists at a news conference on Wednesday that Balogun was "not comfortable" with how Everton treated him during his medical.

Everton believe they supported Balogun throughout the process, while being open about the issues identified. The club also made clear to the player they would work with Monaco to explore a solution that could still enable the transfer to be completed.

To make matters worse, and to shed an even more unflattering light on the club's strategy and operation, it all came after hours after Everton had sanctioned striker Beto's £15.5m move to Fiorentina.

Image source, Getty Images

Monaco Sporting director Thiago Scuro, speaking about Folarin Balogun's failed transfer to Everton: "We had a clear agreement for Balogun to go to Everton. Balogun flew yesterday morning to complete his medical and sign a contract.

"At 16:00, Balogun was in Liverpool completing his medical. Everything was going pretty well.

"Around 19:00 we were contacted by Everton, who raised concerns about Balogun's medical. For our medical staff and for the player's personal medical staff, there was no sense in those concerns. The explanations were not enough to justify any concerns about the player's future or health.

"A discussion started between the medical departments. It took around two or three hours to go through the assessments, consult other doctors and review the scans. This is normal when a club doctor raises concerns.

"Meanwhile, as often happens on deadline day, the story entered the media very quickly. About half an hour after we were contacted, reports were already saying Balogun had failed his medical.

"Around 22:00 our time, maybe a bit earlier, Everton realised there was no issue and decided they were ready to sign the contract.

"The Premier League has a mechanism where clubs can request additional time to complete paperwork. This was done five minutes before the transfer deadline in England for us to complete all the paperwork between Monaco, Everton and Balogun.

"I signed the contract. Everton signed the contract. At the last moment, the player decided not to sign.

"Basically, Balogun's position was: 'I'm not feeling comfortable with the way the club treated me. I'm not comfortable with the doubts raised about my future or my health. I have no issue, so I'm not comfortable signing a contract here.

"And that's how we ended the transfer window."

Image source, Getty Images

Thiago Scuro, speaking about Lamine Camara's failed transfer to Chelsea: "We were approached by several clubs during the summer. The message was always the same: our priority was for him to stay. Even yesterday morning, after the training session, we had a conversation with Lamine directly which was very friendly, where he also showed the desire to stay and help the club. This was the situation until mid-afternoon.

"What happened was that Chelsea were always testing and trying. 'What about Lamine?' I've been speaking to them for the last 10 days.

"Around 16:00 yesterday we got contact from Chelsea: "OK, we sold a player in this position. Deal done. Is there any possibility Monaco are open to selling Lamine?"

"The answer was the same: no."

After reports started to circulate that Folarin Balogun had failed a medical at Everton...

"Of course, Chelsea saw an opportunity. 'Monaco need money, Balogun is struggling there, let's go and try'.

"Chelsea called us and said: 'Maybe we can be the solution'. At that moment, we had to open the door to discussions. It was almost 20:00 and we started negotiations with Chelsea for Lamine. I contacted the player directly myself. I called him. I informed his agent, as we always do. We were very open.

"What happened was that around 22:00 our time, maybe a bit earlier, Everton realised there was no issue and decided they were ready to sign the contract.

"As soon as we received that information, we came back to Chelsea and said there was no deal. Because that's also fair. It's part of the game."

Thiago Scuro, speaking about deadline day deals for Lamine Camare and Folarin Balogun: "We made clear that our priority was to keep Lamine at the club. It's going to be his third season. Normally that's the cycle that we follow. We try to protect our performers because our performers are strongly connected to the financial situation of the club as well.

"Clearly, we were open to discussing and finding a transfer for Balogun. He finished his third season. We had already worked in advance to replace him and we were fully ready to do this.

"Things went very well with this strategy until almost the end."

Everton and Chelsea fans, if you're still confused as to why transfers for Lamine Camara and Folarin Balogun fell apart, we've got you covered.

Monaco Sporting director Thiago Scuro has been speaking to the media about this very subject.

More to follow.

Enzo Fernandez said Chelsea "will always" be in his heart in a farewell message.

On his social media channel, the Argentine wrote: "I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me. Writing this is not easy either. The truth is, I haven't been in a good place.

"Three years ago, Cobham and Stamford Bridge became home for me and my family. I grew attached to the people, to the shirt, and to the badge of this incredible club.

"Believe me when I say that, from the moment I arrived, I became obsessed with winning and with bringing this club every trophy that its history deserves. We suffered, we cried, I got angry many times, but we also celebrated titles and unforgettable victories. Together, through the good times and the difficult ones.

"I live football the same way I live my life: with passion and with all my heart. That is why I want you to know that I understand you. I truly understand you, from the bottom of my heart.

"But life is about making decisions, and right now I find myself having to make one of those difficult decisions. I've said it before, but I want to say it again: I have grown incredibly fond of this club. Chelsea will always have a place in my thoughts and, above all, in my heart.

"But I also understand how football works. I know how passionate you are, because I am the same. And if I were in your position, I would probably be thinking the same way.

"I want to thank every single one of you: the staff, the coaching team, the medical team, the physios, and everyone who works at Cobham and throughout this great institution.

"To all my team-mates over these years, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing so many moments with me. I was truly happy here, and I wish you nothing but the very best for the future.

"Thank you for all the love and support you have given me and my family throughout these years. I will never forget it.

"This group will give you many more reasons to be happy, and I will be happy for you too. Never doubt that.

"You will always be in my heart, Blues. I will always wish you, always, nothing but the very best.

"Always Blue.

"Thank you, Chelsea."

Image source, Getty Images

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez helped the club win the 2025 Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup later that summer but noises emerged at the start of this year about him wanting to leave.

It began once Maresca left Stamford Bridge in January and two months later, following Chelsea's Champions League exit, Fernandez said he did not know whether he would be at the club next season.

His first choice was to join Real Madrid but the La Liga giants never came in with an offer, feeling the Premier League midfielder was overpriced.

New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso spoke to Fernandez this summer in an attempt to try and change his mind and for him to stay, but the player's heart was set on leaving.

Having been jeered by his own supporters during the home pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad, there was only one direction of travel thereafter and that exit was seemingly rubberstamped after being left out of the wins over Luton and Brighton.

A deal with Manchester City was finally struck with just hours remaining in the transfer window, but which club will feel they came out on top?

Chelsea had set an arbitrary deadline of 14 August for clubs to match their £120m valuation of the player - which passed without any offers coming in - and they were understood to be holding out for £135m on Monday.

City had indicated they would walk away from the deal at the price, instead offering £125m the following day, which was subsequently accepted.

City got their man, while Chelsea received £5m more than what they initially asked for.

Chelsea have now raised more than £425m through player sales, including add-ons this summer and fees from loan deals are expected to take that figure closer to £500m.

Chelsea may have lost Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125m in the final hours of the window, but the business done this summer will still delight new manager Xabi Alonso.

Alonso opened with two Premier League wins, but goalkeeper Robert Sanchez's display in the opening victory at Fulham persuaded him to finally solve a long-standing problem by signing Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa.

The list of incomings and outgoings are – as usual – almost too numerous to mention, but Morgan Rogers - a £117m signing from Aston Villa - has already formed a devastating trio in attack with Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, while Maxence Lacroix is a quality defensive addition.

And in a shift in strategy, veterans Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck were brought in to add experience and their consummate professionalism to the Chelsea dressing room.

Chelsea were in the market in the final hours as well, but were bitterly disappointed when Monaco pulled the plug on their move for highly-regarded midfielder Lamine Camara as Fernandez departed.

A huge squad has no European football to offer a distraction, which is why Chelsea and Alonso could well believe they have the quality to also run close – although they remain outsiders.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

Honest Ahanor had the unusual distinction of being announced by two Premier League clubs - and featuring in two separate photoshoots, wearing two different badges - in a single day.

Ultimately, the arrangement agreed by all parties means Ahanor will play for Crystal Palace during the 2026-27 season.

It follows Chelsea's signing of centre-back Maxence Lacroix from their London rivals for £52m last month.

The Blues have also loaned Axel Disasi directly to Palace for a £3m fee.

Under Premier League rules, clubs may loan only one player to another club in the same division.

However, this arrangement, under which a player is purchased in 2027 but loaned by selling club Atalanta to Chelsea's preferred destination in the meantime, represents a workaround.

Chelsea have previously been accused of exploiting loopholes in Premier League regulations, including selling two hotels adjacent to Stamford Bridge and their women's team to companies within their ownership structure in order to comply with financial rules.

They also handed out unusually long contracts after the club's American owners took over in 2022, enabling transfer fees to be spread over a greater number of seasons.

In each case, the relevant regulations were subsequently amended.

However, Chelsea continue to seek innovative ways to recruit, develop and ultimately secure some of Europe's most promising young talent.

Read the full article here

An unusual deal happened in the Premier League yesterday.

Honest Ahanor was announced by Chelsea and Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

Monaco cancelled Chelsea's transfer for Lamine Camara. It's safe to say that Chelsea are furious about the situation.

Sources suggest Chelsea had time to stop Enzo Fernandez's deal to Manchester City but they preferred to honour their word.

The feeling at Stamford Bridge is they fell victim to an extraordinary and unprofessional situation.

Chelsea fans, we want to hear from you.

What do you make of the Blues business in the window?

How do you feel about the Camara deal falling through after selling Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City?

Sen in your thoughts via the 'Get Involved' button.

Image source, Getty Images

Lamine Camara will be staying at Monaco after the Senegal midfielder's £47.1m move to Chelsea collapsed.

The 22-year-old completed a medical in France earlier on Tuesday evening but his switch to Chelsea fell through shortly after the transfer window closed at 23:00 BST.

They had two bids rejected by the Ligue 1 side before Monaco eventually lowered their asking price when Folarin Balogun's move to Everton came into renewed doubt.

Chelsea fully expected the move to go through, and had already sanctioned Enzo Fernandez's joint-British transfer record £125m switch to Manchester City in anticipation of Camara joining.

But Chelsea were left furious when the club say they were informed by Monaco in writing that a deal for Camara would not go ahead.

While Chelsea say no explanation was provided, sources with knowledge of the situation have told BBC Sport that they believe Monaco's stance was influenced by Everton's proposed move for United States international Balogun.