[Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent](https://www.footballinsider247.com/author/pete-o-rourke-transfer-correspondent)
Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.
The 25-year-old bagged 19 goals in 43 appearances for his club in 2025-26 before scoring three times in the USA's home tournament.
He came mightily close to joining Everton for £40million on Deadline Day in September, but walked out of their Finch Farm training ground before a move was sealed after having a change of heart.
Balogin has admitted that he would like to play in the Premier League again, but as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Everton are unlikely to return with another move for his services.
David Moyes is not set to be given the budget needed to buy Balogun, with The Friedkin Group instead setting their sights on a loan signing.
Folarin Balogun will not join Everton despite failed move and Premier League desire
Asked if a Premier League move is something that he'd still be interested in in early October, Balogun said: "Yes, potentially. Football has many twists and turns, as we've seen after the World Cup. I was close to a transfer, it didn't materialise, but for sure it's definitely an option."
He reportedly felt unnerved at how the Merseyside club treated him and addressed potential injury concerns last month, and so bridges look to be burned ahead of January regardless of budget issues.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "It would be difficult to resurrect that move to Everton for Balogun. It was a bit acrimonious, the way it ended, with the player walking out at the eleventh hour when Everton thought they’d finally got a deal done.
"It obviously affected Monaco too, because of the Lamine Camara situation with Chelsea, so Balogun is still open for a move away and Monaco are still willing to consider offers for the American international."
They reportedly saw an enquiry for his services rebuffed in the summer, with the Cameroonian international now having scored seven goals in 33 Bundesliga appearances since the start of last season.
Nicolo Tresoldi has also been mooted as an option, but may prove to be too expensive as he shines in Belgium, with 12 goals in 14 appearances for Club Brugge so far this term.
Icelandic forward Orri Oskarsson has been linked too, after he scored nine goals in 20 La Liga games for Real Sociedad last term and has three in eight so far in 2026-27.