Ex-USA internationals have been reflecting on Folarin Balogun's decision to U-turn on his decision to sign for Everton on transfer deadline day
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JULY 1: Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States celebrates after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, United States. (Photo by Elysia Su/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Folarin Balogun looked set to sign for Everton on transfer deadline day(Image: Elysia Su/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
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Two former USA international goalkeepers who starred in the Premier League have been reflecting on Folarin Balogun's transfer deadline day move to Everton collapsing.
The Blues struck a big-money deal for the Monaco forward and allowed Beto to leave for Fiorentina. However, an issue was flagged during the USA World Cup star's medical, kick-starting a dramatic chain of events.
Everton restructured the transfer fee with Monaco to a much lower fee than the one that had been agreed. The French side were happy with the new terms and both clubs and Balogun were happy to sign a deal sheet just before the 11pm deadline in order to complete the move.
However, an hour later, the former Arsenal striker made it clear he wanted to return to his current club, who he has made just one substitute appearance for so far this season.
The collapse of the transfer left Blues boss David Moyes with just one senior striker in his squad in Thierno Barry, who has started the new campaign in good form with five goals in seven games in all competitions.
But Everton will need Barry to stay fit between now and the winter transfer window and Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller still feel it was a shame the Balogun deal did not go through.
"I think Folarin Balogun knows the Premier League and has the quality to play in it," said former Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur keeper Friedel to Jackpot City Casino.
"Everton was probably a perfect-sized club for him, to be honest, one that carries a lot of pressure from its history and tradition, but isn't expected to be in that top six, and has one of the very best managers to ever be in the Premier League in David Moyes, who would have been excellent for him.
"Putting my United States hat on, I was sorry to see the deal fall through because I think it would have been great for him and the US. Everton lost out on a very good person on and off the field and a very good player. I don't know why it collapsed other than what I've read.
"I don't know Balogun personally, so I've never spoken to him. I really don't know if there was a last-minute renegotiation from Everton or if Balogun just didn't like the feel of it. It's all speculation, but it's a real shame, he had flown there, so there was clearly an intention to get the deal done."
It remains to be seen whether the Blues will look to revive their interest in the 25-year-old during the January window. But Keller believes he would be perfect for Moyes.
"I think Flo is a willing runner in behind, and I think last season, is where you saw his greatest return. And then he followed that form into the World Cup, which was great," said the former Millwall, Leicester City and Tottenham keeper to Casinostugan*. "*That goalscoring touch, and being in the right place at the right time. A lot of that, it's not like he was in the right place, he was in the right place because he did a lot of work to get into the right place. And I think that was an evolution.
"There are a lot of strikers who will be like 'give me the ball and I will score'. No, you've got to get to a place where somebody can give you the ball to score. So when they get to that point where they don't have to think about their movement, where it becomes so ingrained, I think Balogun had moved into that realm.
"I don't know what is going to happen now. When you start at Arsenal, go to France, start to have success in France, I think it was a little bit too much to say we will go right back to a top-four team. So I liked the idea of going to Everton, in a place where they want you with a manager like Moyes.
"I don't know how that thing blew up but it's a real shame. It's kind of really stunted Balogun's development, and I think it would have been a good move for Everton. I would have loved to have seen him playing at Everton week in week out."
The Blues are unbeaten in all seven matches so far this season and return to action on October 11 away to Hull City in the Premier League.