Folarin Balogun Speaks Out on Failed Everton Move

Folarin Balogun looked set to be Everton’s marquee signing of the summer transfer window.

The American international arrived at Finch Farm off the back of an impressive World Cup, and as we approached the transfer deadline, Balogun was all but an Everton player. 

A move fell through at the final hurdle, with Balogun having a change of heart before returning to Monaco. 

The Toffees then failed to sign a striker with it being so late in the window that a move fell through. Balogun’s move was initially thrown into doubt after issues were flagged during his medical, but Everton then went ahead with completing a deal.

After the deadline had passed, Balogun pulled the plug, putting Everton in an incredibly difficult situation.

It was too late for a striker to arrive through the door, meaning the Toffees headed into the first half of the campaign with just one centre-forward at the club.

Balogun has now spoken out in an interview with talkSPORT about the failed move to Everton in the summer transfer window. The Monaco striker has confirmed that he remains open to coming to the Premier League.

"Yes, potentially [open to coming to the Premier League]. 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." 

It’s unclear if Balogun would be open to joining Everton this time around, but he’s certainly leaving the door open to make the move back to England. Balogun spent time in the Premier League with Arsenal previously, and he was clearly looking for a route back to England in the summer transfer window. 

In reality, Everton were let down by Balogun. There is an argument to suggest Everton didn’t handle the situation very well, but we don’t know too many of the ins and outs of the medical. 

Balogun pulling the plug so late put Everton in a worrying situation heading into the first half of the season. It’s forced Moyes to deal with having just one striker, and there’s no doubt Balogun has stitched Everton up. 

The Toffees were already set to pay a chunky fee in order to bring Balogun to the club. For that kind of price, you really want a player who is fully committed, and Balogun must have been having doubts before even arriving in England for his medical if he was willing to pull the plug after the deadline.

Balogun would certainly benefit Everton, but when you’re willing to invest £40m in one, you don’t want to be having any doubts. There were doubts about the medical, and now there is doubts about his commitment to the club. 

It’s time for Everton to move on. There are plenty of strikers out there, perhaps for a better price too, so there’s no need to take the risk with Balogun.