How Everton's deadline day debacle leaves owners facing fan mutiny
September 2, 2026 12:33
Everton's final hours of the transfer window descended into chaos after a proposed £40m signing of United States striker Folarin Balogun from AS Monaco collapsed. Although a deal sheet was signed by the player and both clubs after the 23:00 BST deadline, problems with the medical led to a renegotiation of terms and Balogun ultimately left Everton's Finch Farm training ground without completing the move. Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro said the player was "not comfortable" with how Everton handled his medical; Everton say they supported the player and were open to working with Monaco on a resolution.
The fallout followed earlier unrest among supporters over a proposed sale of academy forward Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest that the club's board halted after strong fan opposition. Deadline-day business also included Everton selling Beto to Fiorentina for £15.5m, re-signing Jack Grealish on loan, and completing the £3m signing of Ashley Maitland-Niles from Lyon after a £9.4m move for Fulham's Kenny Tete fell through.
KEY CONTEXT
- The club is owned by The Friedkin Group and chief executive Angus Kinnear had recently told local radio the squad was "in a good place" while reporting the owners viewed missing out on European qualification as "failure." Manager David Moyes said he was surprised by that public comment.
- Everton completed the £65m sale of Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City during the same period, and allowed youngster Adam Aznou to join Malaga on loan.
- Squad depth is limited: after deadline day Everton are left with just one senior recognised striker, Thierno Barry, and only 18 senior outfield players, plus one recognised right-back in Maitland-Niles and one left-back in Vitaliy Mykolenko.
WHY IT MATTERS
The late-window mishandling has intensified supporter anger and put the club's ownership and chief executive under sustained scrutiny. Fans have launched a petition calling for Kinnear's resignation, and the public collapse of the Balogun deal has been described within the club's own reporting as a damaging PR episode that follows the aborted Armstrong sale. The situation also leaves manager David Moyes with a thin squad and limited options up front and at full-back as the season progresses.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Everton and Monaco can find a way to resurrect the Balogun transfer after the parties said they would explore solutions.
- Any formal response from The Friedkin Group or Angus Kinnear to the mounting fan backlash and the petition demanding Kinnear's removal.
- Transfer activity or squad reinforcements Moyes may request to address the thin forward line and defensive cover now apparent in the squad.
KEY FACTS
- Folarin Balogun’s proposed move from AS Monaco was reported as a £40m deal; a deal sheet was signed by player and both clubs after the 23:00 BST deadline.
- Issues raised during Balogun’s medical led to a renegotiated agreement and the player left Finch Farm without signing.
- Everton sold Beto to Fiorentina for £15.5m and sold Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City for £65m.
- Jack Grealish returned to Everton on loan; Ashley Maitland-Niles was signed from Lyon for £3m; a £9.4m move for Kenny Tete was shelved.
- Following deadline day Everton have one senior recognised striker (Thierno Barry), one recognised right-back (Maitland-Niles) and 18 senior outfield players.
- A board decision blocked the proposed sale of academy forward Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest after fan opposition; supporters have set up a petition calling for chief executive Angus Kinnear's resignation.