Everton had a summer window to forget, with a string of failed moves, including their deadline‑day pursuit of Folarin Balogun which left the club frustrated
Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun turned down a move to Everton in the summer
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Monaco's director of football, Thiago Scuro, has admitted that the club's failed summer moves, including the collapse of Folarin Balogun's transfer, have had a financial impact. Everton also endured late‑window frustration when the USA international U‑turned on signing a deal with the club.
Deadline day saw Chelsea and Everton locked in a tug‑of‑war with Monaco. The west Londoners were pushing to land midfielder Lamine Camara, while Everton were trying to finalise a move for Balogun. Monaco were prepared to sell the striker but were unwilling to sanction Camara's departure as well.
Balogun's move first wobbled when an issue was flagged during his medical. A deal sheet was submitted as Everton and Monaco continued talks over what was expected to be a £40million transfer, but the player is understood to have walked away.
Balogun had been lined up as Everton's marquee signing, but the medical concern threatened the deal - opening the door for Chelsea to agree a £47m move for Camara. That transfer then collapsed, to Chelsea's fury, after Everton renegotiated the terms of the Balogun deal.
Ultimately, Balogun chose to walk away from the deal, forcing Monaco to rethink their strategy ahead of the winter window. "We had an agreement with Balogun," Scuro told RMC Sport.
"What happened with him changes our plans for this winter a little. But that was the original plan: that we find a solution for Balogun. After that, we have no control over all the [upcoming] decisions for this winter."
He admitted he wasn’t satisfied with their summer transfer business and vowed that, if the club can strengthen the squad in the New Year, they will.
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"If we have the opportunity to give a better balance to the team, we will do it," Scuro added.
"We have a lot of players at the offensive level, but I think we lack options in other positions. I'm not very happy with what we did this summer. And now, we need corrective solutions."
It proved a summer window to forget for Everton, who missed out on targets and left David Moyes short of bodies and relying on a lone recognised striker.
Everton beat Wolves 1-0 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night to book their place in the third round, but attention now shifts to Saturday's Premier League clash at home to Ipswich Town.