Introduction
Everton left with only one striker after Balogun deal collapses late on deadline day. The story has drawn attention because it can shape how supporters and tipsters read the next stage of the EPL conversation.
The confirmed headline signal is straightforward: 25-year-old walks away from £40m deal at last moment Beto and Ndiaye already sold by club to raise funds Everton’s £40m move for US international Folarin Balogun collapsed late on deadline day to leave manager David Moyes with only one striker for the first half of the season. Everton had agreed a £40m deal for Balogun only for issues with the striker’s medical to place the transfer in doubt after the Merseyside club had sold Beto to Fiorentina and Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City. Enquiries were made to Manchester United for Joshua Zirkzee and Aston Villa for Tammy Abraham but proposed loans for both forwards were rejected. Continue reading.
What happened
The original report establishes the central development above. BetAI does not invent missing quotes or claim facts that are absent from the feed; instead, the desk separates what is confirmed from what still needs verification.
BetAI analysis
Transfer context for EPL: a move like this can reshuffle minutes, defensive or attacking balance, and early-season value.
Our added reading: this is more than a passing headline when it affects selection, confidence, tactical roles, or the market around the next fixture. The useful question is not only what happened, but what changes next for the teams and players involved.
What tipsters should check next: expected role in the first XI, set-piece duties, and whether the selling club needs a replacement before the next matchday.
Conclusion
This remains a developing transfers story. Use the confirmed headline as the starting point, BetAI's analysis for context, and the original publisher for complete reporting and direct quotes.
Source attribution: reporting signal from The Guardian. Full publisher article: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/02/everton-in-late-scramble-to-complete-balogun-transfer-after-flurry-of-sales.
This article references reporting by The Guardian. Visit the publisher for the complete report and original quotes.