Everton have reached an agreement worth £40m to sign Monaco forward Folarin Balogun as they move to reinforce their attack before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
The 25-year-old United States international emerged as one of Everton’s main options alongside Tottenham striker Richarlison. However, the Brazilian is understood to be reluctant to return to Goodison Park, four years after leaving Everton for Spurs.
That uncertainty has pushed Everton further towards Balogun, who joined Monaco from Arsenal in 2023 after progressing through the north London club’s academy.
Balogun has registered 31 goals in 91 appearances in all competitions for Monaco. At international level, he has scored 12 times in 31 matches for the United States.
Everton had also been involved in discussions with Tottenham over a potential reshaping of both clubs’ attacking options. Spurs agreed terms on Friday for Senegal winger Iliman Ndiaye, while Richarlison was expected to move in the opposite direction through a separate deal.
That arrangement stalled after Richarlison was unable to reach an agreement with Everton over personal terms. The Merseyside club are believed to have offered around £35m for their former forward.
Manchester City subsequently moved for Ndiaye and have now agreed a transfer with Everton worth as much as £65m.
Balogun’s proposed move comes only weeks after he became one of the central figures in a major disciplinary controversy at the World Cup.
The striker was sent off for serious foul play against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32 and was expected to serve an automatic suspension. FIFA’s disciplinary committee instead suspended the punishment for one year, allowing Balogun to continue playing in the tournament.
The decision attracted significant criticism after reports emerged that US President Donald Trump and White House officials had contacted FIFA over the player’s situation.
Balogun, who scored three times during the tournament, was subsequently available for the United States’ last-16 defeat by Belgium.
UEFA strongly criticised FIFA’s handling of the case, while the head of FIFA’s disciplinary committee declined to explain publicly how the decision had been reached. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has maintained that he did not influence the disciplinary process.
Everton will now look to complete Balogun’s transfer before the window closes, with the American potentially becoming the club’s major attacking addition of deadline day.