Folarin Balogun’s potential move to the Premier League has collapsed after the 25-year-old United States men’s national team striker decided against signing with Everton according to The Athletic. The transfer fell through in the final hours of the European summer transfer window following medical issues that arose during the player’s physical examination.
Folarin Balogun Rejects Everton Transfer After Medical Complications
Everton had submitted a deal sheet to the Premier League on Tuesday night—a document securing an extra two-hour grace period past the league’s 11pm BST deadline—in an attempt to finalize the transaction. However, Balogun opted not to proceed and ultimately left the Finch Farm training ground without putting pen to paper.
Financial Discussions and Renegotiations Between Clubs
The collapse followed a whirlwind transfer process that saw the clubs initially agree on a fee before running into complications. Monaco sources stated that an initial deal was agreed at €45 million (£38.58m; $52.3m) plus €5 million (£4.3m; $5.8m) in potential add-ons. Meanwhile, Everton sources estimated the package was worth in the region of £40 million ($54m; €46.7m).
After doubts surfaced regarding the initial agreement and physical examinations, Everton and Monaco continued talks. The English club sought to renegotiate a lower fixed fee paired with higher bonuses, and personal terms had previously been agreed upon between Balogun and Everton.
Squad Shuffling and Striker Departures at Everton
Everton pursued attacking reinforcements during the window to offset significant departures. The Merseyside club sold veteran forward Beto to Italian side Fiorentina and agreed to send winger Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City. Reports indicated that Everton also made a rejected inquiry to Manchester United for Joshua Zirkzee before focusing its efforts on Balogun.
With the transfer falling apart, Balogun remains with Monaco until at least the opening of the January transfer window, though the Turkish window remains open with prior interest noted from Galatasaray. Balogun joined Monaco in 2023 after coming through Arsenal’s academy, where he made 10 first-team appearances and left the London club with Arsenal retaining a 17.5 percent sell-on clause.
Summer International Spotlight and Preseason Context
The transfer saga caps off an extraordinary summer for the New York-born, London-raised forward, highlighted by a standout performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Balogun scored three goals in four games for the United States, including a winner in the knockout stage victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina before the team was eliminated by Belgium in the round of 16.
His World Cup campaign also involved an international controversy when President Donald Trump asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review a red card that threatened to sideline Balogun. FIFA ultimately suspended the suspension, allowing him to play against Belgium. Balogun sat out much of Monaco’s preseason due to a minor injury sustained during the tournament, prior to the medical issues that ultimately derailed his deadline-day move to the Premier League.
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