Everton have submitted a formal bid to Monaco for United States forward Folarin Balogun as the club seeks to bolster its attacking options ahead of the transfer window's closure on Tuesday. The 25-year-old has emerged as a priority target for the Toffees, with negotiations intensifying after the departure of fellow striker Beto toward Fiorentina freed up resources for the club's recruitment efforts.
Monaco values Balogun at £40m, and according to ESPN, Everton has submitted an offer in the €18m–€40m range. Reports on 31 August indicate that Balogun has agreed personal terms in principle with Everton, though Monaco has not yet accepted a fee. The French club remains firm on its valuation, and whether the Merseyside outfit's proposal will prove sufficient to secure the transfer remains uncertain.
Balogun represents a ready-made option for Everton's forward line, given his prior experience in English football. The striker spent time at Arsenal before a loan spell at Middlesbrough, establishing familiarity with the Premier League that appeals to English clubs seeking immediate impact. He joined Monaco from Arsenal in 2023 and is under contract with the French side for two more years.
Everton's pursuit of Balogun comes as the club also targets Tottenham attacker Richarlison, whom the Toffees sold to Spurs in 2022. However, Richarlison is understood to harbour reservations about a return to Goodison Park. According to ESPN, securing both players before the 1 September deadline appears unlikely unless Everton generates additional funds through further departures.
What is Balogun's World Cup controversy?
Balogun's profile has been shaped significantly by a major disciplinary incident at this summer's World Cup. The striker was sent off for serious foul play during the United States' last-32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, an offence that ordinarily triggers an automatic one-game suspension under football's standard regulations.
However, FIFA's disciplinary committee took the unprecedented step of suspending Balogun's ban for one year, a decision that allowed him to feature in the USA's subsequent last-16 fixture against Belgium. The ruling sparked widespread controversy when it emerged that US President Donald Trump and White House officials had lobbied FIFA regarding the American's sanction. Balogun went on to score three goals at the tournament before the USA's elimination by Belgium.
UEFA, European football's governing body, issued a scathing statement describing FIFA's decision as
unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable. The head of FIFA's disciplinary committee declined to answer questions about the reasoning behind the ruling, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino denied exercising influence over disciplinary matters.
The decision drew sharp contrast with the treatment of England defender Jarell Quansah, who received a red card for a high challenge on Mexico's Jesus Gallardo in England's 3-2 victory over Mexico. The same FIFA committee ruled that Quansah should serve a two-match ban, classifying his offence as serious foul play and imposing an additional suspension beyond the automatic one-game penalty.
What happens next?
The transfer window closes at 11:00 p.m. BST on Tuesday, 1 September, leaving Everton and Monaco limited time to reach an agreement. Monaco must now decide whether to accept Everton's bid or hold firm on its £40m valuation. Should negotiations stall, Balogun will remain at the French club, and Everton will need to pursue alternative targets to strengthen its forward line before the deadline expires.
