REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Everton's deal to sign Folarin Balogun has collapsed after the transfer window closed, GIVEMESPORT sources understand.
The Toffees agreed a deal worth around £40m for the American striker on Monday night and agreed personal terms over a deal to take him to the Hill Dickinson Stadium as a replacement for Beto in David Moyes' side.
However, the deal hit a major hurdle on Deadline Day after complications with his medical, which saw the deal on the brink of collapse just hours before the window was set to close.
That saw Everton table a bid for Man Utd star Joshua Zirkzee on loan with an option to buy for next summer, but after the Red Devils rejected that move at the 11th hour, the Blues returned to the negotiating table with Monaco to restructure the Balogun deal.
A fresh deal was agreed, despite the issues with the medical, and a deal sheet was submitted to the Premier League to ensure the deal could be completed with an extra two hours.
However, GIVEMESPORT sources understand that the deal has now collapsed after the window has slammed shut after Balogun had a change of heart and walked away from the move.
It's understood that Balogun decided against the move and left the club's training ground without signing, leaving Toffees chiefs without the forward they wanted all summer to strengthen their squad.
Everton were able to bring in Ainsley Maitland-Niles on Deadline Day from Lyon to strengthen at full-back and in midfield, while Jack Grealish has also re-joined the club on a season-long loan from Manchester City. A deal to sign Kenny Tete from Fulham fell through after the Cottagers couldn't sign a replacement in time.