All About Why Everton’s £40m Deal Fell Through: Were The Toffees Right? | OneFootball

Everton saw a deadline-day move for Folarin Balogun collapse after concerns emerged during his medical, with Landon Donovan now offering further detail on what happened.

The report from Aheed Abrar of Goodison News says Donovan discussed the failed deal on Unfiltered Soccer, explaining that Everton’s medical staff noticed issues during their assessment. The club then raised concerns about Balogun’s fitness and running data, while the forward reportedly viewed those questions as disrespectful and pulled out of the move.

Balogun travelled to Liverpool for a medical before the proposed transfer broke down. The deal carried a reported value of about $53m plus potential add-ons, which places the headline fee close to £40m. Everton had sought more time to complete the agreement after the medical raised concerns. Balogun ultimately stayed at Monaco.

Donovan suggested Balogun may have arrived with a minor knee problem and needed several weeks before reaching full match fitness. That detail matters because Monaco had already managed his return carefully after the World Cup. He missed the start of the campaign before making a 14-minute substitute appearance against Lens on September 18.

Monaco’s official statistics list one appearance, 14 minutes, no goals and no assists this season. He has registered one shot, which landed on target. Pochettino then left him out of the latest USMNT squad, although reports have linked that decision to his limited club minutes and a minor leg issue.

Was Everton right to avoid the Balogun deal?

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 06: Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States looks on before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

From my view, Everton escaping a £40m commitment could prove useful, but the striker shortage creates a separate problem for David Moyes. Balogun brings pace, sharp movement behind defensive lines and proven scoring quality. He led the USMNT with three goals at the 2026 World Cup, including two against Paraguay and one against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Yet his situation makes the proposed fee harder to justify. Everton would have paid heavily for a forward who entered the season without full match rhythm, then encountered medical concerns during the transfer process. Spending that amount on a player needing weeks to regain fitness would have carried short-term risk.

There is another tactical question. Balogun thrives when teams play quick combinations and give him space to attack. Moyes has used a more direct approach at Everton, with crosses, second balls and physical contests forming part of the attacking picture. Thierno Barry therefore offers a different profile, even if his finishing needs work.

Barry has scored twice in five Premier League matches and three more goals in the Carabao Cup. However, he has missed six big chances in the league, according to WhoScored data reported by Goodison News. That figure explains why Everton still need another centre-forward.

So, the failed deal doesn’t remove the recruitment problem. It simply changes the type of striker Everton should seek. Rather than rushing into a deal, Moyes needs a forward who can stay available, share Barry’s workload and give the attack another reliable route to goal. For Everton, that need remains pressing.