Everton have agreed a £40m fee with Monaco for striker Folarin Balogun, according to a report from The Guardian. The move for the USA international is a major statement of intent from a side currently sixth in the Premier League with four points from two games.
Who is Folarin Balogun?
Folarin Balogun is a 25-year-old forward born in New York and raised in London. He started his career at Arsenal, making ten senior appearances and having loan spells at Middlesbrough and Reims before a permanent move to Monaco in 2023. Last season, he scored 13 goals in 30 Ligue 1 appearances and was named the club's player of the year. His potential arrival at Goodison Park would significantly bolster an Everton attack that has scored three goals this season while conceding just one.
What does the deal mean for Everton's squad?
The agreement for Balogun comes as forward Beto undergoes a medical with Fiorentina after a £15m offer was accepted. The incoming striker also limits the chances of a return for former Everton favourite Richarlison from Tottenham. Manager Sean Dyche will be hoping the new addition can help close the two-point gap to league leaders Manchester City. The club's current form, with a win and a draw from its opening matches, provides a solid platform for new signings to integrate, a process fans can track via the club's squad page.
Are there other transfer moves involving Everton?
Everton are also reportedly hopeful of securing a loan deal for Manchester City's Jack Grealish. This activity comes as the Toffees prepare for their next Premier League fixture, a home match against Manchester United on September 6th. United currently sit tenth in the standings. The club will have to manage this period without midfielder Christian Nørgaard, who is currently sidelined, as noted on the injuries page.
What other major transfers are happening?
The wider transfer market saw significant movement. Newcastle's Nick Woltemade is close to a loan move to Juventus, contingent on Matias Fernandez-Pardo's £51m switch from Lille to Newcastle. Manchester City signed 22-year-old midfielder Allan Elias from Palmeiras for €37.5m plus add-ons, their third major signing of the window. In other deals, Crystal Palace are set to sign 18-year-old defender Honest Ahanor on loan from Atalanta, with a permanent £40m move to Chelsea agreed for next summer. Brighton are pushing to complete a deal for Millwall's Femi Azeez, who was in the Championship team of the season.
Everton's focus now turns to finalising the Balogun deal ahead of the visit of Manchester United to Goodison Park this weekend.
