In a surprising turn of events, Folarin Balogun's anticipated transfer to Everton has fallen through just hours before the closure of the transfer window. The United States striker was set to make a £40 million ($54 million) move from Monaco to the Premier League club, but ultimately decided against the switch.
Reports indicate that Balogun had already undergone a medical examination in England, a crucial step in any transfer process. However, the 25-year-old opted to withdraw from the deal, reportedly due to negotiations surrounding the transfer fee that arose from undisclosed issues identified during his medical assessment.
The collapse of this transfer is particularly significant for Everton, who had identified Balogun as a late target following the departure of forward Beto to Serie A side Fiorentina. With Balogun's decision, Everton now finds itself short on forward options as the new season approaches.
Despite this setback, Everton did manage to secure the return of Jack Grealish on a season-long loan from Manchester City, marking his second consecutive season with the club. Additionally, the Toffees bolstered their defense by signing English defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles from French club Lyon, but the absence of a new striker remains a concern.
Balogun's profile had risen significantly following his performances at the recent World Cup, where he was involved in a controversial incident. After receiving a red card during the USA's victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32, former President Donald Trump intervened, leading FIFA to suspend the card. This decision, allowing Balogun to participate in the subsequent match against Belgium, drew considerable criticism towards FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, due to the perceived influence of Trump's administration.
Ultimately, the USA lost the match 4-1, and Balogun later acknowledged that the distractions surrounding the red card incident had negatively impacted the team's performance. Born in New York but raised in London, Balogun has made a notable impact at Monaco, netting 31 goals in 91 appearances. His decision to withdraw from the Everton transfer leaves the club with pressing questions as they prepare for the upcoming season.
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