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Monaco still seeking Balogun transfer after Everton collapse

ESPN Soccer •
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Folarin Balogun could be forced to consider a move to a Turkey or Saudi Pro League club this week after AS Monaco said they are still looking to offload the contract of the United States men's national team forward following the collapse of his $45 million transfer to Everton.

Balogun, 25, pulled the plug on a move to the Premier League team in the early hours of Wednesday after Everton and Monaco had been granted additional time following the 2300 BST transfer deadline to restructure the terms of his transfer after issues were raised during the player's medical examination at the English club's Finch Farm training ground.

Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro told a news conference on Wednesday that Balogun abandoned the move due to concerns over his treatment by Everton following the medical. Sources have told ESPN that Everton were alerted to "significant issues" by the medical. But with Ligue 1 side Monaco needing to raise funds by offloading the contracts of players on their squad, Scuro said that they are now assessing options in other markets to dispense with Balogun's contract, with the transfer windows in Turkey and Saudi Arabia still open for business until Sept. 4 and Oct. 12 respectively.

"We are still waiting for Balo to come back and to sit and discuss and to realise between us what is next," Scuro said. "We still have other markets open, which we are having discussions in different players including Balo." Sources have told ESPN that Everton and Monaco renegotiated the terms of the $45 million deal following the unsuccessful medical and that both clubs, and Balogun, signed a Deal Sheet before the 11 p.m. deadline in order to seek a two-hour extension from the Premier League to conclude the deal.