Folarin Balogun Walks Away From Everton Move After Medical

Everton's late attempt to sign Folarin Balogun from Monaco collapsed after the striker underwent a medical and then decided not to complete the transfer. BBC Sport reported that the 25-year-old visited Everton's Finch Farm training base, but the proposed move was abandoned before it could be finalized.

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According to the BBC's report, issues arising from the medical led Everton and Monaco to renegotiate an initial £40 million deal. Balogun, Everton and Monaco then signed a deal sheet before the transfer window closed at 23:00 BST, but the United States international subsequently changed his mind and walked away from the move. The report did not specify the nature of the medical issues.

Balogun had become a late target for Everton after Guinea-Bissau striker Beto completed a permanent transfer to Fiorentina in Serie A. Everton also explored possible moves for Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee and Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham, but BBC Sport reported that neither player was persuaded to join the Merseyside club.

Everton did complete another significant piece of business by bringing Jack Grealish back from Manchester City on a season-long loan. Grealish spent the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Everton, where he made 20 appearances before a foot injury ended his season in January. He returned to action for Manchester City in the Community Shield against Arsenal on August 16 and also appeared in City's 2-1 league win over Bournemouth.

The club 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. In a separate outgoing deal, Scotland right-back Nathan Patterson joined Torino permanently after making 68 appearances in all competitions for Everton following his January 2022 arrival from Rangers.

Balogun, who joined Monaco from Arsenal in 2023, therefore remains with the French club after a transfer that had progressed through a medical, revised negotiations and signed deadline paperwork. Everton ended the window with Grealish and Maitland-Niles added to the squad, while the failed Balogun move followed Beto's departure and left the proposed striker agreement incomplete.