Everton’s interest in Folarin Balogun has moved on considerably since the Monaco striker first emerged as a possible target earlier this summer.
The question then was whether the Toffees would actually pursue the former Arsenal forward. Now, with the transfer deadline approaching, that interest has become far more concrete.
Sacha Tavolieri reports that Everton have submitted an €18million (£15.4m) proposal to Monaco and are pushing to sign the United States international.
Balogun is also said to want the move and has reportedly reached an agreement with Everton.
That does not mean Monaco have accepted the offer. In fact, convincing the Ligue 1 club to sell at that price appears to be the main obstacle still to overcome.
But the 25-year-old has gone from being an interesting name on Everton’s shortlist to a player they are actively trying to sign.
So what would David Moyes actually be getting?
A striker whose stock has risen again
Balogun is coming off his best season since joining Monaco from Arsenal in 2023.
His first two years in the Principality were mixed. He scored seven Ligue 1 goals in his first campaign and four in an injury-hit second season.
Last season changed the picture.
Balogun scored 13 times and provided four assists in 30 league appearances, while Monaco supporters voted him their player of the season.
There was also an extraordinary run of eight consecutive Ligue 1 games in which he scored between February and April.
That form continued into the World Cup, where Balogun scored twice in the United States’ opening 4-1 victory over Paraguay.
Everton would therefore not be buying purely on the reputation created by his 21-goal loan spell at Reims in 2022/23.
There is recent evidence that his career is moving upwards again.
Why Balogun could suit Moyes
Balogun is a different type of centre-forward to Beto.
His game is built more around movement and acceleration than physical domination. He likes attacking the space behind defenders, making runs across centre-backs and receiving the ball while facing goal.
That could appeal to Moyes.
Everton have players capable of finding those runs, while Balogun’s pace would give them a threat through the middle which has sometimes been missing.
He is also comfortable moving into the channels rather than remaining permanently between the centre-backs.
The trade-off is physical presence.
At 5ft 10in, Balogun is unlikely to offer the same aerial outlet as Beto or spend games wrestling with Premier League centre-halves.
If Moyes wants Everton to become quicker and more mobile in attack, however, the attraction is obvious.
The €18m offer makes this particularly interesting
The reported price is another reason this deal deserves attention.
Monaco paid more than €30m to sign Balogun from Arsenal three years ago, following that prolific season at Reims.
Everton’s €18m proposal is therefore unlikely to make this straightforward.
Reports on Monday suggest Monaco’s valuation remains the key issue and that any eventual agreement may have to be negotiated above Everton’s opening figure.
But Balogun’s willingness to join gives the Toffees something to work with.
There is also a wider decision to make over Everton’s attack, with Beto’s future uncertain as the deadline approaches.
Balogun scored 0.52 goals per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 last season and contributed 0.16 assists per 90.
He has now spent three years at Monaco, played Champions League football, represented the United States at a home World Cup and already knows English football from his time with Arsenal and Middlesbrough.
This would not be a punt on an unknown quantity.
A different option for Everton
Balogun would not arrive with any guarantee that his goals in France will translate directly to the Premier League.
There are legitimate questions over whether his game would suit matches in which Everton need their centre-forward to hold the ball up and provide a physical focal point.
But there is plenty to like.
He is 25, quick, mobile and coming off a 13-goal league season. He has also reportedly made it clear that he wants the move.
The remaining question is whether Everton can persuade Monaco to do business.
At €18m, the answer may well be no.
If there is room for negotiation, however, Balogun looks considerably more attractive now than he did when Everton’s interest first emerged earlier this summer.
And that is precisely why this old transfer link has suddenly become one of the more intriguing stories of Everton’s final days of the window.
For updates on the Toffees throughout the season, take a look at our LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments page.
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