REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Everton's move to sign Folarin Balogun from Monaco is back on with just minutes of the summer transfer window remaining, GIVEMESPORT understands.
The Toffees looked set to complete a deal to sign the striker, who started his career at Arsenal, earlier on deadline day, but complications with the frontman's medical threw the transfer into serious doubt.
Everton even turned their attentions briefly to Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee, but United decided to keep the Dutchman and all the while the Toffees were negotiating with Monaco on the terms of the deal because of the issues with the medical, in an attempt to get it over the line before the 11pm deadline hits.
Everton had initially agreed a £42.8million deal with Monaco to sign the 25-year-old, but after those medical complications a re-negotiation was required with the Toffees now potentially paying a lower fixed fee, with more in add-ons instead.
Balogun has played 91 times for Monaco, scoring 31 goals, and shone for the USA at his home World Cup, despite controversy surrounding his red card in the Round of 32 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Why Chelsea could be impacted by Everton's move to sign Balogun
REUTERS/David Klein
GMS understands that while the initial move was thrown into serious doubt by the complications over his medical, Everton officials remained calm and were still working on it behind the scenes to come to a conclusion. And now it looks as if that will be the case.
Balogun making the move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium could impact Chelsea's last-minute transfer plans too.
With Monaco needing to sell before the deadline, due to their financial situation, a Chelsea move for Lamine Camara was back on the table.
The Blues have been searching for another midfielder, after selling Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125million, with Camara the chosen one late in the window. However, Monaco would now be reluctant to lose both stars so close to the transfer deadline and Balogun's move to Merseyside could halt the Blues' progress in talks over a Camara deal.