Everton strike deal with Monaco for US striker Balogun
Everton have reached an agreement with Monaco for the transfer of Folarin Balogun, with the fee reported at around £40 million plus add-ons. Personal terms are still being finalized for the 25-year-old forward. Balogun scored 19 goals for Monaco last season and was the top scorer for the USMNT at the World Cup.
The transfer fee structure involves an initial €45 million with €5 million in potential add-ons, though Everton sources frame the total value closer to £40 million. Balogun has two years left on his Monaco contract and had signaled he would not extend, prompting the Ligue 1 club to cash in rather than risk losing him for less later. His arrival at Goodison Park comes as Beto nears a move to Fiorentina, which would leave Thierno Barry as Everton's only other recognized striker.
Balogun's path to this point includes a breakout loan at Reims in 2022-23, where he scored 22 times in 39 appearances, before Arsenal sold him to Monaco for €30 million plus add-ons. His World Cup performance on home soil included three goals in four matches, though his tournament was shadowed by a red card against Bosnia & Herzegovina. FIFA suspended his ban after President Trump intervened with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, a decision that drew widespread criticism before the U.S. exited in the round of 16.
This move could significantly raise Balogun's profile among American audiences, as Premier League viewership in the U.S. far exceeds Ligue 1's reach, potentially boosting his commercial value and national team visibility. For Everton, the signing may address a long-standing scoring drought, though Moyes' system historically provides limited service to forwards, meaning expectations should remain tempered. The lingering controversy over the Trump-FIFA intervention may also resurface in coverage, shaping how some fans perceive Balogun's World Cup narrative.