Everton left with only one striker after Balogun deal collapses late on deadline day
Summary
Everton’s £40m move for Folarin Balogun collapsed late on deadline day, leaving manager David Moyes with only one recognised striker for the first half of the season. The club had agreed a deal for the USA international only for issues with his medical to place the transfer in doubt after selling Beto to Fiorentina and Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City. Enquiries were made to Manchester United for Joshua Zirkzee and Aston Villa for Tammy Abraham but proposed loans for both forwards were rejected. The structure of the deal was renegotiated late on, with Monaco accepting a lower payment up front and more in appearance-related add-ons, and Everton submitted a deal sheet to complete the transfer in time. Balogun signed the squad sheet shortly before 11pm, but the 25-year-old, who missed his scheduled morning flight to Merseyside, changed his mind and walked away at the final moment. The collapse of the deal leaves Thierno Barry as Everton’s one recognised striker and completes a shambolic end to the window by the club’s hierarchy.
Key points
- Everton agreed a £40m deal for Folarin Balogun only for the transfer to collapse late on deadline day.
- The club sold Beto to Fiorentina for £15.5m and Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City for £60m plus £5m in add-ons.
- Everton hit problems in their attempts to sign the right-back Kenny Tete from Fulham after Fulham failed to secure their preferred replacement.
- Everton finally concluded their search for a right-back by signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon for around £4.2m on a three-year contract.
- Jack Grealish returns to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on another season loan from Manchester City and could make his second Everton debut against Manchester United on Sunday.
Timeline
Everton’s £40m move for Folarin Balogun collapses late on deadline day.
Jack Grealish could make his second Everton debut against Manchester United on Sunday.
“I’m so happy. I think I’m at my best at everything in life, not just football, when I feel loved. That’s what the manager has given me, what my teammates have given me and especially what the fans have given me.”
Background
Everton were already under pressure having tried to sell Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest.
Why it matters
The collapse of the Balogun deal leaves Thierno Barry as Everton’s only recognised striker for the first half of the season.