Everton‘s search for a striker unravelled on deadline day, leaving David Moyes with a problem that should have been solved before the window closed.
Moves for Folarin Balogun and Joshua Zirkzee both came to nothing, turning the final hours of the summer into a disaster for the Toffees.
Beto’s departure to Fiorentina had already been confirmed, meaning Thierno Barry was left as the only recognised senior centre forward at Moyes’ disposal.
That is a huge burden for one player to carry, with an injury or suspension now threatening to force Everton into makeshift solutions up front.
Balogun had looked set to fill the vacancy after Everton agreed a deal worth around £40m with Monaco and brought him to Merseyside.
Concerns during his medical sparked further negotiations, and a deal sheet was submitted to give the clubs more time to complete the transfer.
|
Balogun’s failed Everton transfer: full timeline |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Date / time |
What happened |
Source |
|
Monday, 31 August |
Everton reach an agreement with Monaco over a transfer worth around £40m, identifying Balogun as the replacement for the departing Beto. |
The Guardian |
|
Tuesday, 1 September, lunchtime |
Balogun arrives on Merseyside to undergo his medical and complete the remaining steps towards joining Everton. |
Sky Sports |
|
Early evening |
Beto’s permanent move to Fiorentina is announced before Everton have secured Balogun’s signature, leaving the club dependent on completing a replacement deal. |
Everton FC |
|
Evening |
Everton raise concerns following Balogun’s medical. Further assessments and discussions between the medical teams put the transfer in doubt. |
Irish Examiner |
|
Evening, while Balogun’s move is uncertain |
Everton pursue alternative loan deals involving Joshua Zirkzee and Tammy Abraham. Manchester United and Aston Villa reject their approaches. |
TNT Sports |
|
During the same period |
Monaco agree to sell Lamine Camara to Chelsea as the uncertainty over Balogun threatens their plans to raise money through a sale. |
Sky Sports |
|
Final hours before the deadline |
Everton revive the Balogun negotiations. Monaco accept revised terms, with talkSPORT reporting that Everton sought a lower initial payment and bonuses linked to appearances. |
talkSPORT |
|
As Balogun’s transfer moves back towards completion |
Monaco withdraw from the Camara agreement with Chelsea, expecting Balogun’s departure to provide the sale they need instead. |
Sky Sports |
|
Approximately 10.55pm |
According to Monaco chief Thiago Scuro, the clubs request additional time through a deal sheet, five minutes before the English deadline. |
Irish Examiner |
|
11pm deadline |
The window closes with Balogun’s transfer still unfinished. The submitted deal sheet allows further time to complete the outstanding paperwork. |
ESPN |
|
Wednesday, 2 September, shortly after midnight |
Reports confirm that Balogun has decided against joining Everton. He leaves without signing, ending the revived transfer despite the clubs’ agreement. |
Sky Sports |
|
Wednesday, 2 September, subsequent explanations |
Scuro says Balogun rejected the move because Everton’s handling of the medical had made him uncomfortable about committing to the club. |
Irish Examiner |
|
Everton’s reported account |
Everton sources point to Balogun arriving late and delays in receiving Monaco’s medical records, which reduced the time available to resolve concerns. |
The Guardian |
|
Final outcome |
Balogun remains with Monaco. Everton finish the window with Thierno Barry as their only recognised senior centre forward after selling Beto and failing to secure a replacement. |
TNT Sports |
Even that could not get it over the line, as the USA international eventually decided against signing.
Monaco chief Thiago Scuro has since claimed Balogun was unhappy with Everton’s handling of the medical. Everton sources, meanwhile, told The Guardian that a late arrival and delays in receiving medical records had complicated matters.
Their other options disappeared too, with Man United rejecting a loan approach for Zirkzee and Aston Villa also turning down an enquiry for Tammy Abraham.
Jack Grealish’s return on loan from Man City provided some encouragement, but adding another creator did little to address the shortage of players to finish chances.
Everton were supposed to be giving Moyes more choices in attack. Instead, the manager has been left relying heavily on Barry after allowing another striker to leave.
The free agent market now offers a possible escape route, although the club’s search for help has taken an unexpected turn.
Everton offered free transfer for Anthony Martial
talkSPORT reports that Anthony Martial‘s availability has been put to Everton, with the former Man United forward open to another spell in the Premier League.
The Frenchman is a free agent following his departure from Monterrey, allowing the Toffees to explore a move after the deadline.
Martial is now 30 and would arrive with a point to prove after struggling to make an impact in Mexico.
Across 20 appearances for Monterrey last season, he contributed one goal and three assists, with his playing time totalling just 800 minutes.
There was considerably more end product during his outstanding 2019/20 season at United, when he returned 23 goals and 12 assists from 48 outings across all competitions.
Everton supporters have seen his finishing ability for themselves.
He holds United’s scoring record against the Toffees with nine goals, including the late Wembley strike that ended their FA Cup hopes in 2016.
His last goal for United also came against Everton, at Goodison in November 2023.
The offer gives Everton another name to consider as they look for someone to support Barry.
Martial’s past achievements carry weight, but Moyes needs a forward who can make a difference immediately after a transfer window that has left his attack badly short.