Football

In one of the more high-profile Deadline Day deals of the Premier League’s 2026 summer transfer window, Everton have swooped for AS Monaco and USMNT striker Folarin Balogun for a significant, near-club-record fee.

Read more Kalshi Permanently Blocks Former Congressman George Santos from Prediction Market

Balogun has been one of Ligue 1’s top goal scorers for much of the last three years, outside of injury problems two years ago. Combined between his season on loan with Stade de Reims and eventual permanent move to AS Monaco, Balogun has scored 45 goals in Ligue 1 play, plus additional experience in the UEFA Champions League.

The move to Everton will see Balogun return to the Premier League, where he came through as an Arsenal youth product before making the move to France.

After rising to prominence with goals and controversy at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Balogun now returns to England, where he will look to prove he can become a top Premier League goal-scoring threat.

MORE: Minute-by-minute news and updates all throughout Transfer Deadline Day 2026

Everton lineup projection with Folarin Balogun

Everton predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): J. Pickford (GK) — M. Rohl, J. Tarkowski, J. Branthwaite, V. Mykolenko — H. Hackney, J. Garner — B. Johnson, K. Dewsbury-Hall, J. Grealish — F. Balogun.

It’s likely that Folarin Balogun will immediately slot in as the starting striker under David Moyes, given his excellent track record in France, the Champions League, and the recent World Cup.

With Beto gone, and the only main competition being Thierno Barry, Balogun should get the starting spot. He will be supported chiefly by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who will be vital to Balogun’s success given the U.S. international’s style of play.

On the left wing will be a combination of 30-year-old Jack Grealish and 20-year-old Tyrique George. Iliman Ndiaye has departed for Man City, meaning Brennan Johnson should get the majority of time on the right with Tyler Dibling mixing in. Johnson has been extremely poor the last two seasons, so his improvement will be critical to Balogun’s potential success.

MORE: Full list of USMNT players on European clubs

How good is Folarin Balogun?

Folarin Balogun is an exceptional player who excels at off-ball movement.

While statistically not an elite finisher, Balogun thrives on being the focal point of the attack, getting a high volume of chances in front of goal to feast on. His brilliance comes in his vertical runs in behind, as well as movements between the channels.

Read more New Madagascar Bill Creates National Gambling Framework, Bans Credit Betting, Sets Age Limit at 21

When Balogun first arrived on the international scene with the United States, then-USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter spoke at length about Balogun’s excellent off-ball movement and how he was struggling to get his team to link up with the young striker, knowing that once those connections were made, it would be a massive boon for the team.

«Balo really has a talent for running through the back line,» Berhalter said of the U.S. striker prior to a 3-1 friendly defeat to Germany back in October 2023. «It’s something that we need to be on the same page with him, identifying his runs and trying to get him the ball. When you see the goals he’s scoring in France, most of them are from a quick move behind the back line and a quick shot in and around the penalty box.»

While Berhalter was never able to complete those connections, his replacement, Mauricio Pochettino, has. Balogun has thrived under Pochettino’s high-pressing system, which has made the U.S. striker the sole focal point of the front line. Instead of centering around Christian Pulisic, the USMNT system is built to feed Balogun up front, getting him the volume of chances required to see the ball into the back of the net.

If Balogun gets the support up front he needs, and David Moyes can engineer the Everton attack to fit his strengths, the U.S. international has the potential to be a 15-goal scorer in the Premier League this season.

MORE: Mauricio Pochettino contract, salary with USMNT through 2030 World Cup

How much did Everton pay for Folarin Balogun?

Reports from The Athletic and ESPN indicate that Everton are spending a significant fee to acquire Folarin Balogun from Monaco.

The transfer fee for Balogun will reportedly be €45 million (£38.58m / $52.3m) up front, plus another €5 million (£4.3m / $5.8m) in potential add-ons, although Everton sources reportedly claimed the initial fee was closer to £35 million (€41m / $47.5m) with another £5 million (€4.3m / $6.5m) in add-ons.

At either of those tallies, Balogun would become Everton’s second-most expensive transfer acquisition in club history, only behind the €49.4 million deal for Gylfi Sigurdsson in 2017.

Folarin Balogun stats

Folarin Balogun stats with AS Monaco

Folarin Balogun stats with Stade de Reims

Folarin Balogun stats with Middlesbrough

Folarin Balogun age

Folarin Balogun is 25 years old, having celebrated his latest birthday during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He has reportedly signed a four year deal with Everton, with the option for one more at the end. If he sees out that contract in its entirety, it would take him through the summer of 2032 when he would be 31 years old.

Read more NFL