Everton - Folarin Balogun
David Moyes knew what he was signing up for when he returned to Everton, and missing out on Folarin Balogun wouldn’t have been a new experience.
The Toffees’ boss lamented his luck last year when trying to rebuild a squad that had been decimated by loan players returning to their clubs and others leaving at the end of their contracts, with a Groundhog Day feeling to the summer of 2026, even if repeating the 2025 coup of signing Jack Grealish lifted some of the grey skies.
Despite starting the season with the smallest squad in the league, Everton remain unbeaten with three wins and three draws, but could they go back in for Balogun in January to help fire them to a European place?
Folarin Balogun Talks Failed Everton Transfer
A £40m transfer had been agreed only for one of the most bizarre deadline day collapses, leading to the USA international staying put at Monaco.
That a deal sheet was submitted to the FA shows just how much every party believed that all had been agreed before the 25-year old pulled the plug.
With the principality sitting top of Ligue 1, he might feel justified in his last-minute change of heart.
What Folarin Balogun has said about a Premier League Transfer
Asked by talkSPORT if a Premier League return could be on the cards in the future, the former Arsenal academy kid who was at the centre of a bizarre World Cup incident admitted: “Yes, potentially.
“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.”
“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.”
Further Reading
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Should Everton Go Back in for Balogun? And International Boss Praises Everton Wonderkid
In a word, no. Balogun might have stayed at Monaco and be flying high at the top of Ligue 1; however, he has featured in just 14 minutes worth of action all season.
Before the international break, Moyes named Braiden Graham on the Everton bench, who already has a fan in Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neil, who called him up to the senior squad despite only being 18 and his inexperience at first-team level:
“Braiden’s a very talented player; a very technical player; a great finisher. I’ve watched him a lot. We’ve watched Braiden since he was young. I’ve seen him from 14 or 15.
“What he has shown us in training is a real high technical level and the ability to stick the ball in the net,” reported the Everton Academy’s X account.
Thierno Barry, as the only senior striker, can’t play every minute of every game, and there is no better time to introduce a youngster than when a team is winning and consistent.
The Last Word
The money is there for Everton to strengthen, and Moyes will want more experience in his attack.
Barry is the clear first choice and has settled into the role with five goals and one assist in seven games so far this campaign, so Everton need someone who is happy to play second fiddle.
Signing Balogun, who would command a high salary, wouldn’t be the best use of a budget that doesn’t have much room for error.
What Moyes should do is look to a tier-two league, like the Eredivisie, Belgian Pro League, or a step down from La Liga or Bundesliga, and find the next Barry, a player on an upward trajectory who won’t block Graham’s pathway, but will provide competition and allow the youngster to go out on loan too.
Featured image courtesy of IMAGO / News Images