Everton's summer transfer window ended in shambles as a proposed deal for United States international Folarin Balogun collapsed on deadline day. The failure, reported by Independent Football, exposes deeper structural problems at the club under The Friedkin Group's ownership, leaving manager David Moyes with a squad weaker than when the window opened.
Everton currently sit 7th in the Premier League with four points from two games, having scored three goals and conceded just one. They are only two points behind leaders Manchester City, but the optimism from that solid start is now clouded by off-field turmoil. The club's next challenge is a home match against Manchester United on 6 September.
What happened with the Folarin Balogun deal?
Everton had renegotiated a £40 million deal with Monaco for striker Folarin Balogun to involve a lower up-front fee with potential add-ons. Balogun, who scored 19 goals last season, had proposed the move himself. However, the agreement fell apart in the final hours of the window, leaving Everton without the proven goalscorer they desperately sought. This followed a failed £10 million loan offer for Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee, a player known for his aversion to scoring.
How thin is Everton's squad now?
The situation up front is particularly dire. The sale of Beto to Fiorentina and the high-profile departure of Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City have left Thierno Barry as the only recognised senior striker. Barry was mocked last season for a job-share arrangement with Beto, and now carries the burden alone. Everton invested over £100 million last summer but quadrupled their money on Ndiaye in just two years, selling him for a significant profit on the initial £60 million fee. Despite bringing in almost £100 million in player sales on deadline day, the squad now has only 18 senior outfield players. You can view the full roster on our squad page.
What other moves did Everton attempt?
The club's deadline day activity was frantic and ultimately fruitless. Alongside the Balogun and Zirkzee pursuits, Everton were in talks with Tottenham to bring Richarlison back to Goodison Park. They also secured the return of Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City, though that move lacks a novelty factor. Harrison Armstrong was at serious risk of being sold to Nottingham Forest, a move that reportedly threatened to provoke a mutinous fanbase to riot. His retention was a small relief.
What does this mean for David Moyes?
Manager David Moyes faces significant issues with a threadbare group. When asked about the Balogun situation, Moyes said: "I am not going to comment on that." The hope was that moving to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium and moving on from Farhad Moshiri's ownership would end an era of austerity. Instead, The Friedkin Group's apparent lack of understanding of the club means they now face a battle to regain trust. The loss of Ndiaye's firepower could hamper their ability to maintain their early-season form, detailed in our standings.
Everton ended the transfer window demonstrably weaker, a stark contrast to their promising on-pitch start. All focus now shifts to preparing for the visit of Manchester United this weekend, a fixture you can find on our fixtures schedule.
