Everton are looking at the final 36 hours of the transfer window as they try to push through a late attacking overhaul. Folarin Balogun is the priority, while separate talks with Tottenham could send Richarlison back to Merseyside and Jack Grealish into the mix as well. Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro has already confirmed discussions are taking place regarding Balogun and said Monaco signed Abline to keep the squad covered if he leaves.

Balogun's case

Balogun's record at Monaco is the main reason Everton have gone after him. He scored 31 times in 91 appearances for the club, and he finished the campaign with 11 goals in 14 games. That is the profile Everton want if they are serious about moving on from the current forward line rather than simply adding another body to it.

His wider scoring record is not the only factor. Balogun scored three times in four World Cup appearances, and his coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst described him as: "He's very serious and he's very driven,". Isaksson-Hurst also said he has developed his timing, movement and link-up play, which fits the kind of forward Everton seem to be targeting.

The moves around him

The Balogun pursuit sits alongside other business that could change Everton's attack quickly. Beto is linked with a move away, with Fiorentina in the frame, and the forward has only two Premier League appearances this season with no goals. That leaves Everton trying to replace output before they have fully completed the exit.

Scuro's public line matters because it showed Monaco were already planning for the possibility of Balogun's exit. "Yes, it is true that discussions are taking place regarding Balogun; that is also why we have already signed Abline. We are ready to maintain the quality of the team if Balogun leaves," he said.

The fee talk around Balogun has varied across reports, with figures from €18m to £15m to $50m all circulating, but the consistent part is the timing. Everton are working inside the final 36 hours, and the state of the window now depends on whether they can close one deal while keeping the rest moving.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →