Full Breakdown
Everton’s Deadline-Day Deal for Folarin Balogun Falls Apart
9/2/2026, 10:54:45 AM
The Transfer Collapse
On September 1 2026, United States international striker Folarin Balogun left Everton’s Finch Farm training ground without signing, ending a £40 million (£54 million) move from AS Monaco that had seemed imminent after a renegotiated deal and a submitted Premier League deal sheet.
Background & Context
Everton entered the summer window needing a centre-forward after selling Beto to Fiorentina and Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City. Balogun, a 25-year-old former Arsenal academy product, had impressed at the 2026 World Cup, scoring three goals for the United States. Monaco, facing a €50 million deficit after missing Champions League qualification, sought a sizable fee for the striker.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 31 (scheduled) | Reports indicated Everton was close to finalising a £40 million deal with Monaco. |
| September 1 (occurred) | Balogun travelled to Everton for a medical; the clubs submitted a deal sheet to extend the deadline. |
| September 1 (occurred) | After the medical, Balogun changed his mind and walked away, leaving the transfer incomplete. |
| September 2 (occurred) | Journalist Ben Jacobs noted that Everton’s loan bid for Zirkzee was rejected after the Balogun collapse. |
Data & Statistics
- Agreed fee: reports vary between an initial €45 million (£38.58 million) plus €5 million in add-ons and a total around £40 million.
- Balogun’s 2025-26 season at Monaco: 13 goals in 30 Ligue 1 matches; overall 31 goals in 91 appearances.
- International record: 12 goals in 31 USMNT caps (2023-present) and three World Cup goals in 2026.
- Everton’s remaining senior striker after the collapse: Thierno Barry.
Why It Matters
- Everton’s attack – With Beto and Ndiaye gone, the club must rely on Barry and potential January signings.
- Monaco’s finances – The failed sale deprives Monaco of a crucial cash injection, limiting its ability to off-load other assets.
- USMNT prospects – Balogun remains at Monaco for the 2026-27 season, affecting his exposure to the Premier League ahead of the 2030 World Cup cycle.
Official Statements & Responses
- Monaco and Balogun’s representatives insist the player is medically fit and dispute any concerns raised by Everton’s medical staff.
- Everton did not issue an immediate comment after the deadline; the club has not confirmed the final status of the deal.
- Sources close to the clubs say the renegotiated terms—lower upfront fee with higher performance-related add-ons—were accepted before the player’s change of heart.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Fee figures differ across outlets: some cite an initial €45 million plus €5 million add-ons, others a £40 million total. No definitive amount has been confirmed.
- Reason for the collapse remains unclear. Sources mention a “medical issue” that prompted Everton to renegotiate, while Monaco and Balogun’s camp claim no fitness problem existed. The player’s personal decision to walk away is reported, but the underlying motivation has not been disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Balo really has a talent for running through the back line,” — Gregg Berhalter, then-USMNT head coach
