LONDON (AFP) -- Folarin Balogun's $54 million move from Monaco to Everton collapsed hours before the transfer window closed because the US striker pulled out over his "treatment" by the Premier League club, the Ligue 1 club's managing director said Wednesday.
Balogun -- who was at the center of controversy at the World Cup after US President Donald Trump successfully intervened to have FIFA suspend a red card so he could play against Belgium in the round of 16 -- had undergone a physical examination in England before Everton raised concerns about his health.
Although the Premier League club decided to proceed with the deal -- after a couple of hours of discussions between the two clubs' medical departments -- Balogun pulled the plug himself.
"Five minutes before the close of the (English) transfer window ... I signed the contract, and Everton signed the contract," Monaco managing director Thiago Scuro told reporters.
"At the last moment, the player decided not to sign. And basically, the allegation of Balogun is that, 'I'm not feeling well by the way the club treated me. I'm not feeling well by the way the medical department of Everton brought doubts about my future or my health. I have nothing, so I'm not comfortable to sign a long contract here.'"
Some reports had said Everton attempted to renegotiate the fee for the 25-year-old Balogun, but Scuro did not mention any such discussions.
Balogun had emerged as a late target for Everton after Guinea-Bissau international Beto completed a move to Serie A club Fiorentina.
His decision to back out has left Everton short of forwards for the new season, although the club secured the return of Jack Grealish on a season-long loan from Manchester City for a second consecutive season.
Everton also signed English defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles from French club Lyon.
But The 1878s, an Everton supporters group, accused the club's US-based owner, The Friedkin Group, of failing in its duty during the transfer window.
"To leave us with no backup fullbacks and just one striker is full-on gross negligence," the group said.
Balogun drew attention with his performances at the World Cup this year, but a red card he received in the United States' win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32 ruled him out of the round-of-16 game against Belgium before Trump intervened.
FIFA's decision to suspend the card, allowing Balogun to play against Belgium, attracted widespread criticism aimed at Gianni Infantino, president of the global soccer governing body, who developed a close relationship with Trump.
The United States lost the game 4-1, and Balogun later admitted that the furor surrounding the red card had affected the team's performance.
Balogun, who was born in New York City but grew up in London, has scored 31 goals in 91 games for Monaco.
His decision to remain has left Monaco in a financial bind because the club had budgeted for his sale.
Monaco had discussed selling Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara to Chelsea if the Balogun deal fell through, but pulled out of those discussions when it believed the striker would leave. Balogun may yet depart because some leagues have not closed their transfer windows.
"We still have other markets open, and we are having discussions about different players, including Balo," Scuro said.
"Let's see what can still happen until Thursday because we still have markets that have the financial capacity to do something."
