Everton Agree £40m Deal With Monaco for Folarin Balogun

Everton have agreed a £40 million deal with Monaco for United States striker Folarin Balogun, according to BBC Sport. The agreement gives the Premier League club a route to strengthen its forward line before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, although the report did not say that personal terms or a medical had been completed.

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Balogun, 25, joined Monaco from Arsenal in 2023 after developing at the north London club. He has scored 31 goals in 91 appearances across all competitions for Monaco. At international level, the striker has registered 12 goals in 31 appearances for the United States.

BBC Sport reported that Everton had also been pursuing Tottenham forward Richarlison, who previously played for the Merseyside club. Everton were understood to have offered £35 million for the 29-year-old Brazilian, but sources indicated that he did not agree personal terms and had reservations about returning to his former team. Richarlison left Everton for Tottenham in 2022.

The talks involving Richarlison were connected to a separate proposed move for Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye. Tottenham had reached an agreement with Everton on Friday evening for the 26-year-old Senegal international, with Richarlison potentially heading in the opposite direction in a distinct transaction. Manchester City subsequently agreed a deal worth up to £65 million for Ndiaye, BBC Sport reported.

Balogun’s recent international campaign also drew scrutiny. He scored three goals at the 2026 World Cup but was sent off for serious foul play against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32. FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended the resulting ban for a year, allowing him to start the United States’ last-16 defeat by Belgium. The decision prompted public criticism, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino denied influencing disciplinary matters.

For Everton, the Monaco agreement represents a significant step in a late-window effort to add a proven central attacker. Balogun’s record in France and experience with the United States make him the club’s clearest reported option after the complications surrounding a Richarlison return. The transfer still depends on the remaining steps being completed before the deadline.