Is Folarin Balogun joining Everton? Monaco transfer ‘very likely’ after £15.4m bid – Football Whispers Index score

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Is Folarin Balogun joining Everton? Monaco transfer ‘very likely’ after £15.4m bid – Football Whispers Index score
Folarin Balogun to Everton - Photo by Iconsport/Sylvain Thomas/FEP/SPI

Everton have submitted a formal bid to Monaco for USA international striker Folarin Balogun as the summer window enters its final hours, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The move would see Balogun replace Beto, who is heading to Fiorentina, and compete with current first-choice Thierno Barry as David Moyes looks to strengthen his forward line before Tuesday's deadline.

Balogun has not played for Monaco this season through injury, but the Ligue 1 club have already signed Matthis Abline as cover for his position.

The Football Whispers Index scores every transfer rumour across five weighted factors. Read how it works here.

Folarin Balogun to Everton rated ‘Very likely'

Folarin Balogun to Everton — Football Whispers Index
Football Whispers Index: Transfer predictor

Folarin Balogun to Everton

Very likely
Everton have tabled an €18m opening bid and Tottenham are out of the race, leaving Monaco to balance a formal offer against the need to complete Erik Lira's registration before Tuesday's deadline.
Updated
Financial viability20 / 25
Buying club need18 / 20
Player motivation10 / 15
Selling club incentive17 / 20
Market momentum17 / 20
Financial viability20 / 25
  • Everton have tabled an €18m opening bid for Balogun, according to Sacha Tavolieri, worth just over 7% of the club's most recently published annual revenue.
  • Balogun has two years left on the contract he signed at Monaco in August 2023, running to 30 June 2028.
  • Fabrizio Romano confirmed on 31 August that Everton have formalised their interest with an official offer to Monaco.
  • Everton's books remain well clear of the Premier League's Squad Cost Ratio limits, leaving room to add fresh investment before Tuesday's deadline.
Buying club need18 / 20
  • Thierno Barry's hat-trick this season came in the EFL Cup against Preston, and in the Premier League he has one goal from two starts.
  • Beto's exit to Fiorentina leaves David Moyes with a single senior recognised striker once that deal completes.
  • Balogun scored 19 goals in 43 appearances for Monaco last season, winning the club's Player of the Season award.
  • Balogun's rating of 7.03 in Ligue 1 last season outstrips Barry's 6.44 across the same 2025-26 campaign.
Player motivation10 / 15
  • Balogun has told Monaco he wants to leave and has earmarked Everton as his preferred destination.
  • The 25-year-old has not featured for Monaco this season through injury, though he was Filipe Luis' first-choice striker before he was sidelined.
  • Monaco are in the Conference League this season, their lowest level of European football in Balogun's time at the club.
  • Balogun has scored 12 times in 31 caps for the United States since switching his international allegiance from England.
Selling club incentive17 / 20
  • Monaco have signed Matthis Abline specifically as cover for Balogun's position, with Paris Brunner also emerging after a brace against Marseille on Sunday.
  • Balogun's departure would free up a non-EU registration slot Monaco need for new Mexican signing Erik Lira.
  • Thiago Scuro said Monaco were ready to maintain the quality of the squad if Balogun leaves, having already signed his replacement.
  • Balogun finished last season as Monaco's Player of the Season after a 19-goal campaign in all competitions.
Market momentum17 / 20
  • Fabrizio Romano reported on 31 August that Everton have submitted a formal bid to Monaco for Balogun.
  • Sacha Tavolieri put the opening offer at €18m, with Everton pushing to get a deal done before Tuesday's deadline.
  • Tottenham Hotspur, previously linked with Balogun, have dropped out of the race after signing Omar Marmoush and Savio instead.
  • TEAMtalk reported talks between the clubs are under way following Everton's agreement to sell Beto to Fiorentina.
The verdict93 / 100
Everton have moved from interest to a formal bid with Monaco's own hierarchy confirming talks are live, and with Tottenham out of the race that puts this deal firmly in Very likely territory on deadline day.
Monaco have already lined up Matthis Abline as a replacement and need the sale to complete Erik Lira's registration, giving both sides a reason to get it over the line before Tuesday's cut-off.
The only thing standing in the way is the final fee, with Monaco still working to close the gap between Everton's opening €18m offer and their own valuation.

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