Everton agree £40m fee for Monaco striker Balogun

Everton have agreed to a £40 million fee to sign Monaco striker Folarin Balogun. The Toffees aim to bolster their forward line before the transfer deadline on Tuesday, with Balogun, 25, and Tottenham's Richarlison among their targets. Richarlison, 29, is reportedly hesitant about returning to Everton, the club he left for Tottenham in 2022.

Balogun, who began his career at Arsenal before moving to Monaco in 2023, has netted 31 goals in 91 matches across all competitions for Ligue 1 side and 12 goals in 31 appearances for the USA. Tottenham had reached an agreement with Everton for Senegal winger Iliman Ndiaye, 26, on Friday evening, while Richarlison was reportedly close to a move back to his former club.

However, sources suggest Richarlison failed to meet personal terms with Everton, who allegedly made a £35 million offer for him. In other transfer news, Manchester City have agreed a deal worth up to £65 million for Ndiaye. During the 2022 World Cup, Balogun was involved in a significant controversy after receiving a red card for serious foul play against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Despite being expected to serve a ban, FIFA's disciplinary committee suspended his suspension for a year, a decision that drew widespread criticism. The American player's ban was reportedly influenced by lobbying from US President Donald Trump and White House officials.