Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro has refuted claims that the club acted improperly during a chaotic final day of the transfer window, which saw potential moves for Folarin Balogun to Everton and Lamine Camara to Chelsea fall apart.
Scuro detailed the sequence of events in a press conference, stating that Monaco had reached a verbal agreement for Balogun to join Everton and that Camara would remain with the club. Balogun had traveled to England for his medical and to finalize the contract.
However, according to Scuro, Chelsea repeatedly inquired about Camara throughout the day. Around 4 PM, Chelsea made a formal contact, expressing interest in Camara following the sale of one of their midfielders. Monaco reiterated their stance that Camara was not available for transfer.
Later that evening, around 7 PM, Everton contacted Monaco with concerns regarding Balogun's medical examination. Scuro stated that these concerns were not understood by Monaco's medical staff or Balogun's personal medical team.
As discussions with Everton continued, Chelsea renewed their pursuit of Camara, and a deal was discussed. Scuro explained that around 10 PM, Everton indicated they were ready to proceed with the Balogun deal after resolving the medical issues. Simultaneously, Monaco informed Chelsea that a deal for Camara was no longer possible, as they had expected to sell Balogun.
"There is no reason that these kinds of dynamic discussions on the last day of the transfer window... trying to find solutions, with the clock ticking, that this kind of interaction (sees us) become the bad guys in the room," Scuro said. "Putting that on Monaco is not fair."
Just as the deal with Everton was nearing completion, Balogun decided not to proceed. Scuro attributed this decision to Balogun's discomfort with how Everton's medical department had raised doubts about his health, which made him unwilling to sign a long-term contract.
"Balogun’s allegation is that 'I’m not feeling good because of the way the club treated me. I’m not feeling good because Everton’s medical department raised doubts about my future or my health. I have nothing (no health problem), so I’m not comfortable signing a long contract here,'" Scuro recounted. "And the reality is that when Balo mentioned to us this feeling that he was not comfortable, he didn’t want to sign. We didn’t see ourselves in a position to push him. We had to respect his decision."
Scuro added that Balogun might still be transferred to a league where the transfer window remains open, and he believes Camara could also move on to "better things" in the future. He expressed sympathy for both players regarding the transfer sagas.