Ligue 1 star seeking Premier League move after Everton snub | OneFootball

Folarin Balogun leaves Everton questions unanswered after collapsed transfer

Folarin Balogun has finally addressed the failed Everton move that threatened to become one of the more awkward stories of the summer window, and his comments will only keep the Premier League transfer conversation alive.

As credited to Talksport, the Monaco forward has admitted that a future move back to England remains firmly on the table after his proposed £40 million switch to Everton broke down late in the process. The deal had advanced to an extremely delicate stage on deadline day, with Everton initially moving towards an agreement before concerns during the medical forced fresh discussions with Monaco.

That renegotiation led to a revised package, including a reduced fee and appearance-related add-ons, and for a period it looked as though the transfer could still be rescued. Instead, the move unraveled completely, first with a missed flight to England and then with Balogun deciding against joining David Moyes’ side, despite a dealsheet already being lodged.

Photo: IMAGO

Balogun keeps Premier League transfer door open

Speaking after returning to action for Monaco, Balogun did little to shut down speculation over his long-term future. Asked whether a Premier League move still appealed, he said: “Yes, potentially. “Football has many twists and turns as we’ve seen after the World Cup. “I was close to a transfer, didn’t materialise, but for sure it’s definitely an option.”

Those remarks matter. Clubs will hear them as a clear signal that Balogun remains open to England, even if Everton were ultimately unable to get this one over the line. For recruitment departments, availability and willingness are two different issues, and Balogun appears to have clarified one of them.

Everton transfer setback remains significant

From Everton’s perspective, the episode was damaging because it suggested the club had done the hard part, only for the move to collapse at the final hurdle. A striker profile of Balogun’s age and pedigree rarely becomes straightforward once negotiations reach medical stage, so losing momentum there felt especially costly.

The 25-year-old came through Arsenal’s academy before joining Monaco in 2023, although his senior Premier League experience remains limited. That lack of top-flight minutes in England is balanced by strong potential, and that is precisely why this situation will continue to attract attention in future windows.

Monaco form offers fresh context

Balogun’s immediate focus has returned to Monaco, where the early season picture is encouraging. He said: “It’s been a good start to the season. “We’ve started the last three seasons well so I think the focus is how you finish it. So we take it step-by-step.”

Monaco sit top of Ligue 1 and unbeaten after five matches, giving the striker a stable platform after an uncertain end to the market. His return against Lens before the international break was timely, particularly after he had been left out of the club’s Conference League squad during the fallout from the failed Everton transfer.

That omission underlined how close the move came to completion. The next question is whether Everton revisit it, or whether another Premier League club acts first.

Our View

From an Everton supporter’s point of view, this whole story is maddening. It has all the hallmarks of a club that keeps finding ways to make life harder for itself in the market. If Balogun was the target, why did it reach the stage of medicals, revised terms and lodged paperwork before everything fell apart? That points to a process lacking clarity.

There is also the uncomfortable reality that Everton desperately needed attacking help, and missing on a player of this profile leaves a sour taste. Balogun may still fancy the Premier League, but he clearly did not fancy Everton enough when the moment came. Fans will not enjoy hearing that, yet it is hard to avoid.

The bigger frustration is what this says about perception. Everton remain a huge club with a loyal support base, but transfer sagas like this reinforce the idea that top players see the move as a risk rather than an opportunity. That should concern everyone behind the scenes.

If the recruitment team believed Balogun could improve the side, then failing to complete the deal is another reminder that Everton cannot keep operating on the margins and hoping complicated moves somehow resolve themselves. Supporters are tired of near-misses, tired of being embarrassed, and tired of hearing how close things were. At some point, the club simply has to deliver.

Source: Talksport