Everton's search for a striker ended in failure as US international Folarin Balogun rejected a deadline-day move from Monaco, capping a chaotic summer transfer window for the club. Manager David Moyes has since admitted he has no direct contact with owner Dan Friedkin, highlighting a disconnect as the team prepares for its next Premier League fixture.
Why did Folarin Balogun reject Everton?
According to reports from Fox Sports, a proposed deal worth over $50 million for the Monaco striker collapsed in the final hours of the transfer window. Balogun had reportedly traveled to Merseyside and was set for a medical, but he ultimately decided against the switch. The 25-year-old forward's decision left Everton without a key attacking target, compounding the earlier sales of Beto and Iliman Ndiaye.
The French publication L'Equipe suggested the holdup was linked to Everton needing to finalize Ndiaye's sale to Manchester City first. While that deal was completed, Balogun's move fell through, leaving manager David Moyes with a significant shortage in his forward line. The club's only senior striker is now Thierno Barry, putting pressure on the squad as they sit 8th in the Premier League with four points from two games.
What did David Moyes say about the club's owners?
Speaking to the press, as reported by the Daily Mirror, Moyes revealed he has never spoken to Dan Friedkin, the chief executive of the Friedkin Group which owns Everton. "My real contact is Angus [Kinnear, Everton CEO]. Angus is the one who I would go to see," Moyes said. He communicates with the ownership through representative Rishi Majithia, rather than having direct conversations with Friedkin himself.
Moyes described the transfer window as difficult, particularly the frantic final days where bids for other strikers like Joshua Zirkzee and Tammy Abraham also failed. He was diplomatic about the Balogun collapse, stating it "wasn't anyone's fault" but acknowledged the outcome left the squad threadbare. The manager's comments add to the scrutiny on the club's operations following a window where key players departed.
How does this affect Everton's season start?
The failed transfer business casts a shadow over a solid start to the campaign. Everton have taken four points from their opening two matches, with a win and a draw putting them just two points behind leaders Manchester City. They have scored three goals and conceded only one, giving them a positive goal difference early on.
However, the lack of striker depth is a major concern. With Christian Nørgaard also currently sidelined, the squad's resources are stretched. The immediate focus shifts to the next fixture, a home match against Manchester United on September 6th. United are 11th in the table, making it a key early-season encounter. Fans can check the full schedule on the club's fixtures page.
What was the Richarlison and Ndiaye transfer link?
In a separate saga covered by the Daily Mail, former Everton forward Richarlison was axed from Tottenham's Premier League squad as he pushed for a move to Turkey. Reports indicated a potential return to Everton was discussed as part of a complex deal that would have seen Iliman Ndiaye move to Manchester City. Richarlison posted cryptic social media messages during the speculation, but he ultimately remained at Spurs after a move to Trabzonspor failed to materialize before the Turkish deadline.
This indirect link to Everton shows the interconnected nature of the transfer market, where one club's business can impact another's plans. Ndiaye's eventual £65 million sale to City was one of the few deals Everton successfully concluded, but it further depleted their attacking options. The full squad list and injury updates are available on the official squad and injuries pages.
Everton now must rely on their current group as they host Manchester United at Goodison Park this weekend, aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
