Everton are weighing a late move for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun as David Moyes seeks to strengthen his attacking options before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
The 25-year-old United States international has emerged as a leading target for the Toffees after a strong finish to last season in France and an impressive World Cup campaign. Any deal, however, could depend on Everton completing outgoing transfers, with Iliman Ndiaye and Beto among those linked with moves away.
Balogun’s development has been driven by a determination to improve, according to the private coach who has worked with him since a difficult spell at Middlesbrough during his time at Arsenal.
Saul Isaksson-Hurst began training with the striker after Balogun scored only three goals in 18 Championship appearances for Middlesbrough. Rather than allow the experience to damage his confidence, Balogun sought additional help during the summer.
“He wanted to do more. He wanted to get better,” Isaksson-Hurst told Sky Sports. “He was a very targeted and aspirational type of guy.”
Their sessions focused on the qualities required of a traditional centre-forward: movement in the penalty area, the timing of runs and finishing with both feet. Balogun’s subsequent loan at Reims produced 22 goals in 39 matches and helped establish him as one of France’s most dangerous young strikers.
He has continued to work with Isaksson-Hurst during international breaks and in the off-season, maintaining a relationship built on demanding, highly focused training sessions.
“He’s very serious and he’s very driven,” Isaksson-Hurst said. “He’ll sometimes come and say, ‘Look, I want to do this’. He’s not backwards about coming forward with what he wants to work on.”
Balogun left Arsenal for Monaco in 2023 in a deal worth about £35m. His time in the principality has included injuries and spells out of the starting line-up, but he finished the latest campaign with 11 goals in 14 matches, including a double against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
He also scored three times for the USA at the 2026 World Cup, despite becoming embroiled in controversy after being sent off. FIFA later overturned the resulting suspension, allowing him to return to the tournament.
His career has been shaped by a series of decisive choices. After leaving Arsenal for France, he switched his international allegiance from England to the United States, seeking regular football and the chance to perform on the biggest stage.
“He just wants to play at the highest level he can, on the biggest stage possible,” said Isaksson-Hurst.
Everton target a natural number nine
The coach believes Balogun’s mentality has developed as significantly as his technical ability. He describes the striker as a natural finisher whose movement and link-up play have improved through years of extra work.
“He’s always been a natural finisher,” Isaksson-Hurst said. “He’s really worked on refining that and he’s also developed other areas of his game, his timing and movements, the way he comes into the box and his link-up play.”
That profile could appeal to Everton, who are seeking greater firepower under Moyes. Balogun is an orthodox penalty-box striker, comfortable finishing in the air or with either foot.
“A lot of players playing as number nines aren’t real orthodox number nines,” Isaksson-Hurst added. “Flo is a natural, a fox in the box who can finish. Give him half a yard and he’s going to punish you.”
Everton’s interest comes with the transfer window due to close on Tuesday, September 1. Reports have indicated that the club may need to raise funds through departures before completing a deal for Balogun, who has two years remaining on his Monaco contract.
For a player who once responded to a disappointing loan by creating his own development plan, a return to the Premier League would represent another significant step in a career built on taking risks and demanding more from himself.
