Balogun back on Monaco's Conference League roster after a summer of twists and turns

Just a few weeks ago, Folarin Balogun wasn't even on the list. Now he is. The American forward has been added back to AS Monaco's squad for the Conference League, after initially being left out amid uncertainty over his future.

In the squad list published Tuesday on UEFA's website, Balogun's name appears once again among Monaco's forwards. Missing from the list, however, is Ansu Fati, who picked up an injury in the October 25 match against Lille and is reportedly set to be sidelined for two months, according to reports in France.

Balogun has barely featured for Monaco this season. He's made five appearances and scored his first goal in Sunday's 3-1 loss at Paris FC.

A turbulent summer

The forward came close to joining Everton for a reported fee of £40 million (around $54 million) on September 1, the deadline day for most European leagues' summer transfer windows. However, the move fell through after he grew uneasy with the English club raising concerns about his fitness during the medical.

Days later, Balogun was left off Monaco's Conference League squad list, as the club was still weighing the possibility of loaning him out or selling him to a league where the transfer window remained open. That move never materialized, and the forward is now back in the fold for European competition.

All of this comes after a World Cup in which Balogun, one of the faces of the US national team, was at the center of a major controversy over his ejection in the round of 16 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. His one match suspension was put on hold by FIFA after President Donald Trump intervened, calling Gianni Infantino, the head of soccer's global governing body, in an effort to get the red card reviewed.

Thanks to that, Balogun was able to play in the round of 16, though he turned in a forgettable performance as coach Mauricio Pochettino and the United States fell to Belgium.

What's next in Europe

On the club front, Monaco won its first two Conference League matches, against CSKA Sofia and SC Freiburg. Up next is Thursday's clash with FC Nordsjaelland, with matches against Hearts, Brighton and Lincoln Red Imps still to come in the 36 team league phase.