Monaco and USA striker Folarin Balogun has spoken about the possibility of making a move to the Premier League in the future after pulling the plug on his proposed deadline day move to Everton
Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun(Image: Julian Finney/FIFA via Getty Images)
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USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun has discussed the possibility of a future move to the Premier League after pulling the plug on his agreed transfer deadline day switch to Everton.
The Blues wanted to make Balogun their biggest signing of the summer as they agreed a £40million deal with Monaco, but the ECHO understands that after the player arrived at Finch Farm on a later flight than scheduled, issues arose over his medical. This prompted both clubs to renegotiate the fee, with Everton set to pay a lower base price with more potential add-ons, but personal terms for the 25-year-old remained the same.
With all parties seemingly fine to go ahead, a deal sheet was lodged to complete the transfer after the deadline passed, but Balogun let it be known that he no longer wanted to sign for the Blues and wished to go home. With last season’s top scorer Beto having joined Fiorentina earlier in the day, the snub left David Moyes with just one recognised striker (Thierno Barry) in a squad of just 18 outfield players, with mere solitary options in both the right-back and left-back positions.
Monaco currently top the Ligue 1 table after five matches but Balogun – who was left out of their UEFA Conference League squad in the wake of his failed move to Hill Dickinson Stadium – has only featured in 14 minutes of action so far this term, as a substitute for Matthis Abline at the end of their 2-1 home win over Lens on September 18.
Having travelled to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to watch Indianapolis Colts’ win over Washington Commanders in the opening NFL London game of the season, Balogun – who played two Premier League games for Arsenal in the competition – was asked if it was still something he would want in the future. He told talkSPORT: “Yes, potentially.
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“Football has many twists and turns as we’ve seen after the World Cup.
“I was close to a transfer, didn’t materialise, but for sure it’s definitely an option.”
Speaking about his return to Monaco, the Brooklyn-born player added: “It’s been a good start to the season.
“We’ve started the last three seasons well, so I think the focus is how you finish it. So, we take it step-by-step.”