Ranking the five biggest losers of Camara-Balogun deals, ft. Arsenal & Chelsea
The Camara-Balogun saga ended in disappointment for Monaco, Arsenal, Chelsea and both players. Monaco lost the chance to sell either player after Balogun rejected Everton. Arsenal also missed out on a reported £6.7m windfall.
The Camara-Balogun transfer saga produced one of the most bizarre twists of the summer window, with one failed deal directly contributing to the collapse of another.
Monaco appeared set to cash in on Folarin Balogun with Everton while ensuring they kept Lamine Camara away from Chelsea. But when the Balogun deal became uncertain, Monaco changed course and prioritised the midfielder’s sale.
The club later changed its stance when Everton returned in the dying minutes of the transfer window, and Monaco turned on their €55 million agreement with Chelsea, as Folarin Balogun’s Premier League move would satisfy their financial demands.
The decision ultimately backfired spectacularly. Monaco pulled out of the Camara agreement with Chelsea, only for Balogun to later reject the Everton move after visiting the club’s training ground.
With neither transfer completed, several clubs and players were left counting their losses. Here are the five biggest losers from the extraordinary saga.
Biggest losers of Camara-Balogun failed deals
1. AS Monaco
Monaco are easily the biggest losers. The club had two valuable assets in Balogun and Camara and appeared capable of securing a major transfer fee from either player. Instead, their decision to prioritise Balogun cost them the chance to complete Camara’s move to Chelsea.
When Balogun subsequently decided against Everton, Monaco were left with both players and no major sale. A potentially lucrative deadline day ended with nothing to show for it, and now the club faces a disastrous financial complication.
2. Arsenal
Arsenal were watching the situation from afar but still had plenty at stake. The Gunners reportedly held a 17.5 per cent sell-on clause in Balogun’s Monaco transfer.
With Everton’s proposed deal worth around £40 million, Arsenal were in line for roughly £7 million. The collapse means that expected windfall has disappeared for now.
3. Lamine Camara
Lamine Camara was perhaps the biggest individual victim. The Senegal international appeared to be on the verge of a major move to Chelsea after the clubs reached an agreement reportedly worth around £47 million.
Instead, Monaco pulled the plug when they revived their efforts to sell Balogun. Camara therefore missed out on a significant Premier League opportunity that may not return in exactly the same form.
4. Chelsea
Chelsea also suffered a blow, particularly because Lamine Camara had been identified as the replacement for Enzo Fernandez following his proposed move to Manchester City.
However, the setback is less damaging because Chelsea still have midfield options. Roméo Lavia’s return to fitness gives Xabi Alonso another option, while the Blues retain considerable depth in the position.
5. Folarin Balogun
Balogun is the hardest player to describe as a loser because the decision to stay was ultimately his. He had appeared ready to return to the Premier League with Everton before changing his mind.
Still, after getting so close to a move, the collapse leaves him at Monaco and without the fresh start he initially appeared to want. He may yet leave in the future, but this particular opportunity has now passed.
What next for all parties?
Monaco can still recoup the money they desire, as the transfer window is still open elsewhere, and Folarin Balogun will be the only player considered for sale, given that Camara would likely opt to remain in the top European leagues, where the windows are already closed.
The complication would be if a potential club also finds a red flag in his medicals, or if the player decides against moving to a lower league. Monaco can also look at other players in the squad to solve the crisis.
Arsenal will hope Balogun secures a move away from Monaco before his contract ends in two years, but what remains to be seen is whether the club will earn as much as the £6.7 million that awaited them had the American joined Everton.
