Everton Submit £35m Bid for USMNT Forward Folarin Balogun

Everton have launched a £35 million ($47.5m) bid for Folarin Balogun to replace Beto, who joined Fiorentina for £15 million.

Everton have submitted a £35 million ($47.5m) offer for AS Monaco forward Folarin Balogun as the Premier League club nears a deal for the United States international. The 25-year-old striker emerged as the primary target for manager David Moyes following the confirmed departure of Beto to Serie A side Fiorentina in a £15 million transaction. The pursuit of the former Arsenal and Middlesbrough player accelerated after the club successfully offloaded the Guinea-Bissau international forward, clearing the path for a significant attacking reinforcement.

Negotiations are intensifying ahead of the summer transfer window deadline, which is set for Tuesday at 23:00 BST (18:00 ET). Moyes has identified the USMNT frontman as an essential addition to the squad to fill the void left by recent exits. The Toffees had previously identified Balogun as a leading candidate on Sunday, contingent on their ability to finalize the sale of Beto. With that condition met, the Merseyside club is now moving to secure the forward who previously spent time on loan at Middlesbrough.

Transfer Deadline Strategy and Squad Overhaul

David Moyes is attempting to finalize several additions to his roster before the Tuesday night cutoff. While the Folarin Balogun transfer remains the priority for the coaching staff, the club is simultaneously managing multiple other negotiations. A potential return for Tottenham forward Richarlison has hit a standstill due to competing interest from Turkish clubs in the former Everton player. Despite this complication, Iliman Ndiaye’s prospective move to Spurs is still expected to be completed, further shifting the attacking dynamics of the Premier League side.

Everton are also working to secure a permanent or return deal for Jack Grealish. The Manchester City winger spent last season on loan at the club, and Moyes is keen to bring the creative player back into the fold. Additionally, the recruitment team maintains an active interest in Sunderland defender Trai Hume to bolster the backline. However, the manager has explicitly prioritized attacking reinforcements over defensive acquisitions in these final hours of the window.

Financial Context and Premier League Spending

The £35 million bid for Balogun comes amidst a summer of massive spending across the English top flight, including Tottenham Hotspur’s £380m expenditure. Everton’s pursuit of the Monaco forward represents a strategic pivot after assessing various targets. The club’s recruitment strategy has been heavily influenced by the need to replace the physical presence of Beto, making the 25-year-old Balogun the most likely deal to be finalized before the 23:00 BST cutoff on Tuesday.

Sources indicate that the move for the USMNT striker is currently the most advanced of Everton's remaining targets. The club is focusing its resources on ensuring the AS Monaco player is registered in time to participate in the upcoming stages of the 2026 campaign. As the clock ticks toward 18:00 ET, the focus remains on finalizing the paperwork for the £47.5m-rated attacker while monitoring the status of Hume and Grealish. The acceleration of the Balogun deal marks a significant step in Moyes' attempt to reshape his offensive unit following the Guinea-Bissau international's move to Italy.