Everton Signs Folarin Balogun from Monaco for £40m
Everton has finalized a £40 million deal to acquire forward Folarin Balogun from Monaco. As the transfer deadline approaches on Tuesday, the Toffees aim to enhance their attack with Balogun, 25, along with Tottenham’s Richarlison also on their radar.
Advertisement
Richarlison, 29, reportedly has some hesitations about returning to Everton, where he played before transferring to Spurs in 2022.
Nonetheless, Everton continues to pursue their interest in Balogun, who transitioned from his boyhood club Arsenal to Monaco in 2023. Throughout his career in Ligue 1, Balogun has netted 31 goals in 91 matches and has tallied 12 goals in 31 appearances for the USA.
Meanwhile, Tottenham reached an agreement with Everton on Friday for Senegal winger Iliman Ndiaye, 26, to join them, while Richarlison was set to make a move to Everton in a separate deal.
However, sources indicate that Richarlison was unable to finalize personal terms with Everton, despite the club reportedly offering £35 million for his transfer.
Advertisement
In a related development, Manchester City has agreed to a deal valued at up to £65 million for Ndiaye.
World Cup Controversy
Balogun became embroiled in significant controversy during this summer’s World Cup after receiving a red card for serious foul play against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32, which would typically result in an automatic suspension.
However, Fifa’s disciplinary committee decided to suspend his ban for a year, a choice that drew widespread criticism, especially following revelations that US President Donald Trump and White House officials had lobbied football’s world governing body about the American’s sanction.
Advertisement
Despite the controversy, Balogun, who scored three goals during the World Cup, was cleared to play in the USA’s last-16 match against Belgium, a decision that Uefa criticized as “unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable.”
The head of Fifa’s disciplinary committee did not provide clarity on the process that led to Balogun avoiding any suspension. Meanwhile, Fifa President Gianni Infantino denied having any influence over disciplinary actions.
In a related incident, England defender Jarell Quansah received a red card during their 3-2 victory over Mexico for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo. The disciplinary committee decided he would serve a two-match ban for serious foul play, adding an additional match to the standard one-game suspension imposed by Fifa.
Advertisement
Everton have agreed a £40m deal for Monaco forward Folarin Balogun.
The Toffees want to strengthen their forward line before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, with Balogun, 25, and Tottenham’s Richarlison among their targets.
Advertisement
Brazil forward Richarlison, 29, is believed to have reservations about returning to Everton, the club he left to join Spurs in 2022.
But Everton have pressed ahead with their interest in United States striker Balogun, who left boyhood club Arsenal to join French side Monaco in 2023.
Balogun has scored 31 goals in 91 matches across all competitions for the Ligue 1 team, while he has 12 goals from 31 caps for the USA.
Tottenham had agreed with Everton on Friday evening for Senegal winger Iliman Ndiaye, 26, to join the London club, with Richarlison moving the other way in a separate transfer.
However, sources are indicating Richarlison failed to agree personal terms with former club Everton, who are understood to have made a £35m offer for him.
Advertisement
Manchester City have subsequently agreed a deal worth up to £65m for Ndiaye.
World Cup controversy
Balogun was at the centre of a major controversy during this summer’s World Cup, after he was dismissed for serious foul play against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last 32 match and should have received an automatic suspension.
However, Fifa’s disciplinary committee suspended his ban for a year – a decision that prompted widespread condemnation, particularly when it emerged US President Donald Trump and White House officials had lobbied football’s world governing body about the American’s sanction.
Advertisement
Balogun, who scored three goals at the World Cup, was able to start the USA’s last-16 defeat by Belgium – a decision European football’s governing body Uefa called “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable”.
The head of Fifa’s disciplinary committee refused to answer BBC questions about the decision-making process which led to Balogun avoiding a ban.
Meanwhile, Fifa president Gianni Infantino denied having influence over disciplinary decisions.
England defender Jarell Quansah was similarly shown a red card in their 3-2 win over Mexico following a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo, and the same committee ruled he should serve a two-match ban.
Advertisement
It was classed as serious foul play, meaning the Bayer Leverkusen player was handed an extra match on top of the automatic one-game suspension by Fifa.
[/gpt3]