Folarin Balogun will not be joining the Premier League after all.
After initial reports that the American star would be transferring to Everton from Monaco, The Athletic's David Ornstein reported late Tuesday that the deal had been called off by Balogun.
Ornstein reported that the deal was at risk of being nixed over an issue with Balogun's medical. Everton submitted a dealsheet to the Premier League to secure extra time for negotiations after the transfer window closed but, according to Ornstein, Balogun "decided not to proceed with the deal and left Everton’s Finch Farm training ground without signing for the club."
The reported deal was said to be worth between 40 and 50 million pounds over four years.
The 25-year-old Balogun, who had two years remaining on a contract at Monaco, gained attention this summer by scoring three goals for the United States as it reached the knockout stage of the World Cup. He was the top scorer for the American team.
He also made headlines after drawing a red card and a one-game suspension in a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in a round-of-32 match.
The one-game suspension was deferred by FIFA after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened, allowing Balogun to play in the round of 16. Balogun eventually played in the 4-1 loss to Belgium that ended the U.S. team's home World Cup run.
The intervention prompted a formal complaint to FIFA ethics investigators.
Balogun was born in New York but grew up in Britain. He came up through Arsenal's academy before moving to Middlesbrough, then to the French league with Reims and eventually to Monaco.
He scored 13 goals last season in 30 Ligue 1 matches.
