Folarin Balogun left 'unhappy' after walking out on Everton on deadline day
Everton were dealt a huge blow to their starting XI plans after Folarin Balogun walked out on their deal, sources have told Football Insider.
David Moyes' side had been confident of pulling off a deal for the 25-year-old, having reached a full agreement with Monaco and the player, and with a deal sheet submitted.
The deal ultimately dragged on past the 11pm deadline, before the striker decided against a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, despite the club's best efforts.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Everton were unhappy with the player's medical which utlimately caused complications in the deal.
After initial checks, the Toffess reopened negotiations with Monaco over a discounted fee, but reports have since claimed the striker was unhappy with how it was handled.
Despite taking part in further medical checks later in the day, Balogun ultimately opted to walk away as he had changed his mind about a move to Everton.
Why did Everton fail to sign Folarin Balogun?
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider that Balogun's move to Merseyside broke down after they used his medical as an excuse to slash his wages.
Given their clear desire to get a deal over the line, Wyness explained that the striker's medical issues could have been overlooked, and it ultimately contributed to the ill feeling.
Despite having agreed a big-money deal with Monaco, and having reached an initial agreement with the player, Everton's actions on deadline day caused Balogun's move to fall through.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Another mad transfer deadline deal, one that will go down probably in the history of deadline day deals.
"Everton thought they were getting Folarin Balogun, it was agreed between them and Monaco, it looked like the deal was going to be done.
"He had his medical at Finch Farm as well but then Everton weren't too happy with the medical and tried to renegotiate the deal, which seems to have been the problem.
"The drama came after the deadline with a deal sheet in for Balogun, Everton had signed it off, Monaco had signed it off, but then he decided he didn't want to proceed with the move.
"He left Finch Farm, Everton's training ground, without signing because he wasn't happy with the way that deal had been handled."
What is next for Everton's striker situation?
The signing of Balogun on deadline day had been seen as crucial for Everton, and after failing to pull it off, they have been left with Thierno Barry as their only striker.
Beto was allowed to leave to join Fiorentina in the closing stages of the window, with the Toffees having been confident of landing Balgoun as his immediate replacement.
Former Man United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Moyes gave the green light for Beto to move on under the premise that his replacement would be signed.
However, after the deal for Balogun fell through, and the deal for Beto had already been completed, they have now been left in a very difficult situation.
Barry has started the season as the first-choice striker under Moyes, and while they are happy with his performances, there is now no alternative to the striker.