Everton’s pursuit of Folarin Balogun collapsed after the USMNT forward chose to walk away.
The Premier League side had re‑worked the terms with Monaco following complications that emerged during the 25‑year‑old’s medical assessment.
Everton filed a dealsheet—granting a two‑hour grace period past the 11 pm BST deadline—to seal the signing on Tuesday night, but Balogun declined and left Finch Farm without a contract.
After sealing a deal with Monaco on Monday, doubts grew as deadline day wore on. The Merseyside club then pitched an offer for Joshua Zirkzee to Manchester United, only to see it rejected as United claimed insufficient time to replace their striker.
Talks with Monaco persisted, with Everton hoping to lower the guaranteed fee while boosting performance bonuses.
Monaco insiders, speaking off the record, said the original agreement featured a €45 million base plus €5 million in add‑ons; Everton sources pegged the total around £40 million.
Everton had been hunting attacking help after Beto’s exit to Fiorentina and Iliman Ndiaye’s move to Manchester City. They also secured Tyrique George permanently from Chelsea and brought Jack Grealish back on loan from City on deadline day.
Balogun grabbed global attention at this summer’s World Cup when FIFA overturned his red‑card suspension after an intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The controversy eclipsed what had been a breakout tournament for the American, who netted twice in the opening win over Paraguay and again in the round of 32 triumph over Bosnia before being sent off.
A product of north London’s academy, he logged ten first‑team outings before departing. On loan at Reims in 2022‑23, he struck 22 goals in 39 games, earning a move to Monaco.
Where does this leave Balogun after an extraordinary summer?
Analysis from senior writer Tom Bogert
What a whirlwind for Balogun—World Cup hero, red‑card saga, linked to Europe’s elite, then an Everton deal evaporates at the last tick. In my view, his future feels more uncertain than ever.
His mind must be reeling, yet he remains where he finished last season: Monaco.
That doesn’t guarantee permanence. Turkey’s window stays open, and Galatasaray showed interest earlier; Saudi clubs are also watching.
Could he simply reintegrate at Monaco until at least January?
Summer’s main character.
What now for Everton? Will they regroup and find firepower before the winter window opens?
Analysis by Everton correspondent Patrick Boyland
Make no mistake, this is a massive blow for Everton. The Merseyside club had already sanctioned Beto’s sale to Fiorentina on Tuesday and now fields only one senior striker, Thierno Barry.
While young winger George has occasionally filled centrally, Barry, 23, now faces huge pressure after an inconsistent first season on Merseyside.
Everton also exit the window thin at full‑back, with Nathan Patterson moving permanently to Torino and Adam Aznou joining Malaga on loan, leaving gaps at both defensive ends. Others will likely need to step up before the January market opens.
A hugely disappointing end to the window.