Balogun’s Everton transfer collapses as deadline pressure mounts
The reported $50 million-plus move for United States striker Folarin Balogun has stalled in the final hours of the summer window, with the player expected to remain at Monaco until January.
The anticipated transfer of United States striker Folarin Balogun from Monaco to Everton has reportedly collapsed in the final hours of the European summer transfer window. The 25-year-old forward, who had travelled to Liverpool to complete a medical, decided against the move after the deal was renegotiated, despite the two clubs having previously agreed on a fee of over $50 million and a significant salary increase for the player.
Everton submitted a deal sheet to the Premier League to secure a two-hour deadline extension to finalise the transaction. However, the extension was not enough to save the deal, which was reportedly complicated by Everton’s need to first finalise the sale of Senegalese forward Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City. While Ndiaye’s transfer was completed, the delay left Balogun’s move unfinished as the deadline approached.
Balogun is now expected to remain at Monaco until the January transfer window opens. This development means the striker will miss the UEFA Champions League this season, as Monaco finished seventh in France’s top flight last term. The French club had previously granted Balogun permission to travel to complete his medical, but he sat out much of Monaco’s preseason with a minor injury sustained during the World Cup.
The collapse of the deal comes after Balogun emerged as a hot commodity following his breakout performance for the United States at the World Cup, where he scored three goals in four games. He had also drawn interest from Aston Villa and Barcelona during the summer period. For Everton, the loss of Balogun leaves them shorthanded up front after sending veteran forward Beto to Fiorentina on Tuesday.
Everton manager David Moyes had viewed Balogun as an ideal supplement to target man Thierno Barry. The club could potentially circle back on the American in the new year, though the specific terms of the renegotiation that led to his decision remain unclear. Balogun, who is New York-born and London-raised, made 10 first-team appearances for Arsenal before his move to Monaco.
