Balogun reportedly walks away from Everton transfer in final hours

United States striker Folarin Balogun has reportedly withdrawn from a £40 million transfer to Everton, ending a turbulent final day in the European summer transfer window. According to multiple reports, the 25-year-old left the club's training facility after the deal, which had previously been agreed between the two sides, was renegotiated.

Everton had submitted an offer sheet to the Premier League seeking a two-hour extension to the deadline, operating under the belief that the finalisation of the move was a formality. Premier League rules permit clubs an additional two hours to complete deals already underway, a provision the Merseyside club invoked as the window approached its close at 11:00 p.m. BST.

Despite the extension, the striker reportedly walked away from the arrangement. Sources indicate that concerns over the player's medical initially threatened the deal earlier in the day, prompting talks to renegotiate the terms. However, the specific details of the renegotiated agreement that led to Balogun's withdrawal have not been made public.

The delay in finalising the transfer was reportedly linked to Everton's need to complete the sale of Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City. In a separate move, Everton also had a loan request for Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee rejected as they sought an alternative should the Balogun deal collapse.

Neither Everton nor AS Monaco has officially commented on the status of the deal since the window closed. Balogun is now expected to remain at the French club for the 2026-27 season, a decision that will see him miss out on UEFA Champions League football, as Monaco finished seventh in France's top flight last term.

Since joining Monaco in 2023, Balogun has scored 24 goals in 74 appearances. He was a key figure for the United States in their run to the World Cup round of 16, where the hosts were eliminated by Belgium.