Folarin Balogun, a forward for the United States national team, withdrew from his transfer to Everton on the eve of the European transfer deadline. ^[1] AS Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro confirmed that an agreement for the transfer of Mexican midfielder Erik Lira was already in place but was frustrated by the club's inability to free a non-EU player slot. ^[2] Manchester City agreed to pay Chelsea a transfer fee of roughly $169 million to sign Argentina international Enzo Fernandez on the transfer deadline day. ^[3] The transfer of Folarin Balogun from Monaco to Everton collapsed after Monaco's sporting director Thiago Scuro cited medical doubts raised by Everton's department regarding the striker's fitness. ^[4] Thiago Scuro, president of AS Monaco, stated in a press conference that Erik Lira could not sign with the club because the deal required selling Folarin Balogun to open a foreign player slot. ^[5] Thiago Scuro, CEO of AS Monaco, apologized to Erik Lira after the transfer failed because the necessary conditions were not met. ^[6] Thiago Scuro, CEO and general director of AS Monaco, publicly stated that the transfer of Erik Lira from Cruz Azul collapsed just before completion. ^[7] Everton raised medical objections regarding Balogun's recent injury history, including a 52-day ankle injury and a 162-day shoulder rehabilitation during the 2024/25 season. ^[8] The withdrawal caused financial damage to Monaco and prevented Chelsea from signing Lamine Camara to replace Enzo Fernández at Manchester City. ^[9] Chelsea and Monaco officials described the failed transfer negotiations as a situation where both clubs 'played with fire and got burned'. ^[10] The transfer deal required the departure of American striker Folarin Balogun to open a non-EU player slot, but Balogun did not leave for Everton. ^[11] Enzo Fernandez finalized his move to Manchester City to reunite with new head coach Enzo Maresca, who previously managed him at Chelsea. ^[12]