The USA striker was close to completing a deadline day transfer to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, only for him to change his mind at the last minute
Folarin Balogun before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium.
Folarin is gaining interest from a European clubs following a failed summer transfer to Everton.(Image: Luke Hales/Getty Images)
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Everton transfer target Folarin Balogun could be handed another opportunity to move away from Monaco next summer. Reports in Italy claim that Juventus are eyeing a potential move for the USA World Cup star.
The striker was close to a deadline day move to Everton back in the summer, after the Blues agreed a £40 million deal with Monaco. However, an issue with his medical prompted a renegotiation between the two clubs.
The ECHO understands that the deal was still set to go ahead with a lower base price, but with personal terms to Balogun remaining the same. However, the USA international had a change of heart and decided to return to France.
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It left David Moyes with just one recognised striker in Thierno Barry in his squad. The club had already sanctioned a move for Beto to join Serie A side Fiorentina earlier in the day, and didn’t have time to move for an alternative target.
Reflecting on the transfer window, Moyes admitted: "[I am] disappointed we didn't do more business, things did not go our way in the end. In football, you have to live with disappointments and move on. In this case, we will."
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He added: "It wasn’t anybody’s fault. It happens in football a lot. The player had a problem in his medical and that was simply it. There’s no other story behind it."
It now seems that he could have other options next summer. Gazetta dello Sport claim that Juventus are eyeing the 25-year-old as a potential alternative to Nick Woltemade.
The German striker is on loan with the Old Lady from Newcastle United, but has not impressed with his performances, scoring just one goal in the Europa League so far this season. Concerns were said to ‘deepen’ when the striker missed a golden opportunity to score for Germany against Serbia during the international break.
Folarin Balogun during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium.
Folarin Balogun was close to completing a summer move to Everton. (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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It’s suggested that Juve are already thinking about replacing the 24-year-old when he returns to parent club Newcastle next summer. Al-Qadsiah’s Mateo Retegui, Bologna’s Antonio Raimondo and Balogun are named as three options being weighed up by the Italian giants.
Balogun has recently spoken about the failed transfer to Everton. When asked by talkSPORT if he would consider a move back to the Premier League, having spent some time with Arsenal, he said: “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.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: David Moyes, Manager of Everton, looks on as he inspects the pitch before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Ipswich Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Balogun made headlines during the World Cup as his red card was controversially overturned after an intervention from Donald Trump. But since his return to Monaco, he has struggled for game time.
His only League appearance came in a 2-1 win over Lens as a second-half substitute. His proposed move to Everton also led to him being left out of Monaco’s named squad for the UEFA Conference League.
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