Everton's Striker Crisis: Balogun Deal Collapses 2026

Everton's striker crisis deepened after the £40m move for Folarin Balogun collapsed late on deadline day, leaving manager David Moyes with only one recognized striker for the first half of the season. The dramatic turn of events saw the club scramble for alternatives, but ultimately fail to secure a replacement.

How the Balogun Deal Unraveled

Everton had agreed a £40m deal with Monaco for the US international, but issues with the player's medical threw the transfer into doubt. The club had already sold Beto to Fiorentina and Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City, leaving a void in attack. Enquiries were made for Joshua Zirkzee and Tammy Abraham, but both loan proposals were rejected by Manchester United and Aston Villa respectively.

Despite renegotiating the deal structure—Monaco agreed to a lower upfront payment with more add-ons—Everton submitted a deal sheet to complete the transfer in time. However, the 25-year-old reportedly changed his mind at the final moment and walked away, leaving the club in disarray.

Impact on Everton's Squad

The collapse leaves Thierno Barry as Everton's only recognized striker, a precarious situation for a club aiming to climb the Premier League table. The shambolic end to the window also saw attempts to sign right-back Kenny Tete from Fulham fail, though they eventually signed former Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Comparing Everton's Striker Options

Key Takeaways

• Everton's failure to secure a striker leaves them vulnerable in the first half of the season.
• David Moyes faces a significant challenge with limited attacking options.
• The club's hierarchy is under pressure after a chaotic transfer window.

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