Everton's Balogun Move Collapses as Grealish Returns on Loan

Everton's attempt to sign United States striker Folarin Balogun from Monaco collapsed on transfer deadline day after the player decided against proceeding with the move. BBC Sport reported that the Premier League club had initially agreed a £40 million deal for the 25-year-old before the terms were renegotiated because of an issue identified during his medical.

Everton submitted a deal sheet before the 23:00 BST deadline in an effort to give the transfer additional time to be completed. Balogun, who joined Monaco from Arsenal in 2023, was nevertheless understood to have chosen not to continue with the proposed switch, leaving the deal unfinished when the window closed.

The late pursuit followed another change in Everton's forward group. Guinea-Bissau striker Beto completed a permanent transfer to Fiorentina, prompting Everton to explore replacements. According to the BBC report, the club also considered Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee and Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham but could not persuade either player to join.

Everton did complete a return for Jack Grealish, signing the England international on a season-long loan from Manchester City. The 30-year-old spent the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Everton, where he scored twice and supplied six assists in 20 appearances before a foot injury in January ended his season. He was named the Premier League's Player of the Month for August during that spell.

Grealish returned to action for Manchester City in the Community Shield defeat by Arsenal on August 16. He also appeared in City's 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in their opening Premier League match of the 2026-27 season. Although he had been linked with other clubs, including Aston Villa, Grealish opted to work again with Everton manager David Moyes on Merseyside.

Everton also signed Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon. The 29-year-old former Arsenal player has five England caps and can play at full-back or in midfield. Scotland right-back Nathan Patterson moved in the opposite direction from Everton's squad, completing a permanent transfer to Torino. Patterson, 24, arrived from Rangers in January 2022 and made 68 appearances for Everton in all competitions. The completed moves reshaped the squad despite the failure to add Balogun before the deadline.