Everton’s deal to sign Monaco striker Folarin Balogun collapsed on deadline day - but a new claim suggests it wasn't the only transfer the club pursued
Everton boss David Moyes, with club CEO Angus Kinnear say behind him, during an international friendly match between Scotland and Ivory Coast at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Everton boss David Moyes, with club CEO Angus Kinnear say behind him, during an international friendly match between Scotland and Ivory Coast at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
View 2 Images
Everton reportedly made a late bid to sign Real Betis forward Abde Ezzalzouli on deadline day. Ezzalzouli scored 10 goals and assisted eight more in 29 LaLiga appearances last season before injury ruled him out of the World Cup.
According to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, via Sport Witness, the Morocco international was the subject of interest in a failed £37m (€43m) bid from Everton. The report claims that £30m (€35m) of the offer would have been paid as a fixed fee, with the rest coming in bonuses.
It is also claimed that after Betis informed Everton they would only accept a bid matching the forward’s €60m (£51.6m) release clause, Everton did not return with another offer.
Ezzalzouli spent two years at Barcelona between 2021 and 2023 and when they sold him to the Andalusian club in 2023 they retained a 20% sell-on clause.
The claims follow what many supporters believe was a chaotic and shambolic end to the window.
Everton saw a move to sign Monaco striker Folarin Balogun collapse after he walked away, despite a deal having been signed between the two clubs.
Monaco’s chief executive Thiago Scuro told a press conference on Wednesday that the US international was unhappy with how he was treated after an issue arose over his medical.
AS Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro
AS Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro(Image: (Kristian Skeie - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))
View 2 Images
However, the ECHO understands that Balogun arrived at Finch Farm later than scheduled, and a delay from the French club in providing the Blues with medical records added strain to an already immediate push to get the move over the line.
But Blues supporters have certainly made their feelings clear as the Everton Fans' Forum released a statement taking aim at the situation and claiming that the squad is "dangerously short in key areas".
"Once again, Everton have found themselves scrambling in the final days and hours of a transfer window to address positions that supporters and the football department have known required strengthening for months," the statement read.
"The collapse of yet another transfer at the 11th hour only adds to that frustration. These are not minor administrative issues. They are failures that directly affect the strength and competitiveness of the first-team squad and the options available to the manager.
"The Fans Forum believes supporters deserve a clear explanation of what went wrong during this transfer window."