THE MOST RIDICULOUS DEADLINE DAY TRANSFER SAGA*

🔸 AS Monaco needed to make a sale to help resolve a debt issue and free up a non-EU squad spot to sign Mexican midfielder Erik Lira.

🔸 Monaco agreed a deal to sell Folarin Balogun to Everton, but problems and doubts emerged during his medical and the transfer stalled.

🔸 Chelsea then sensed an opportunity. With Enzo Fernández heading to Manchester City, they went all-in for Lamine Camara as his replacement and reached an agreement with Monaco.

🔸 Everton, meanwhile, turned to Joshua Zirkzee after the Balogun problems — but Manchester United refused to let him leave.

🔸 With the deadline approaching, Everton returned for Balogun and attempted to renegotiate the deal on cheaper terms.

🔸 Monaco preferred selling Balogun rather than Camara, so they PULLED THE PLUG on Camara’s move to Chelsea.

🔸 Chelsea could have responded by cancelling Enzo Fernández’s move to Manchester City. Instead, they honoured their agreement and allowed Enzo to leave — despite suddenly having no replacement.

🔸 And then came the final twist… Balogun decided NOT to join Everton following the medical and negotiation drama, leaving the training centre without signing. 

So after ALL of that…

🔸 Monaco kept BOTH Balogun and Camara, failed to raise the money they wanted and didn’t free up the non-EU spot needed for Erik Lira.

🔸 Erik Lira therefore DIDN’T join Monaco.

🔸 Chelsea lost Enzo Fernández for a Premier League-record fee AND missed out on his planned replacement, Camara.

🔸 Everton missed out on BOTH Balogun and Zirkzee. Having already sold Beto to Fiorentina, Thierno Barry is now their only recognised centre-forward.