Balogun's Everton deal collapses after he walks away

WHAT HAPPENED
Everton's move for striker Folarin Balogun collapsed after the player changed his mind following a medical at the club's Finch Farm training base. Issues identified in the medical led Everton and AS Monaco to renegotiate the initial £40m agreement, and a deal sheet was signed by the United States international and both clubs before the transfer window closed at 23:00 BST. Balogun then walked away from the move.

ADDITIONAL CONTEXT
Balogun, 25, joined AS Monaco from Arsenal in 2023. He had been a late target for Everton after Guinea-Bissau forward Beto completed a permanent transfer to Fiorentina in Serie A.

Everton also explored moves for Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee and Aston Villa forward Tammy Abraham but were unable to persuade either player to join.

OTHER MOVEMENTS AT EVERTON
On deadline day Everton completed a season-long loan for Jack Grealish from Manchester City. Grealish previously spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Everton, making 20 appearances before suffering a season-ending foot injury in January. He scored twice and provided six assists in that spell, winning the Premier League Player of the Month for August. Speaking after the loan, Grealish said: "I think I'm at my best at everything in life, not just football, when I feel loved. That's what the manager has given me, what my team-mates have given me and especially what the fans have given me. Every time I see an Everton fan, it's just pure love and the way they've welcomed me since that first game against Leeds, I'll never forget that." He returned from injury during Manchester City's Community Shield defeat to Arsenal on 16 August and also featured under Enzo Maresca in City's opening match of the 2026-27 Premier League season, a 2-1 win over Bournemouth.

Everton also signed Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon. The 29-year-old, a former Arsenal player, has five caps for England and can operate as a full-back or in midfield. Separately, Scotland right-back Nathan Patterson has completed a permanent move from Everton to Torino; Patterson, 24, joined Everton from Rangers in January 2022 and made 68 appearances for the club across all competitions.

KEY FACTS
- Balogun's move fell apart after he changed his mind following a medical at Finch Farm.
- Everton and Monaco had renegotiated an initial £40m deal; a deal sheet was signed before the 23:00 BST deadline.
- Everton signed Jack Grealish on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
- Ainsley Maitland-Niles was signed from Lyon; Nathan Patterson moved permanently to Torino.