Merseyside | Pressure builds on Everton owners after a shambolic deadline day

Everton's shambolic end to the transfer window has sparked open revolt among supporters

This has placed fierce scrutiny on owners The Friedkin Group and chief executive Angus Kinnear.

Author | Sarah W

Everton fans pre match banner

The final straw for fans already angered by the controversial proposed sale of home-grown youngster Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest, a deal eventually blocked by Everton's board amid the toxic reaction from the fanbase, was the bungled conclusion to deadline day.

Folarin Balogun's proposed £40m move from Monaco descended into farce in the early hours of Wednesday morning after the original agreement was renegotiated when issues emerged during his medical. The United States striker subsequently decided to leave Everton's Finch Farm training base without signing.

This came after Balogun, 25, and both clubs had signed the deal sheet that allowed the transfer to be completed after Tuesday's 11pm deadline.

Article from European Super Football Premier League clubs spend big again eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com/2026/09/engl...

[image or embed]

— Super News Affiliate (@supernews1.bsky.social) 2 September 2026 at 07:28

European Super Football reports on a record breaking window across most of the Premier League

Everton had arranged an 8am flight to bring Balogun to Merseyside, but he was unable to arrive until later in the day. The club were also frustrated by delays in receiving documents relating to the deal from Monaco.

When the medical issue emerged, Everton turned their attention to a loan deal for Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee, who was willing to join but was not permitted to leave Old Trafford. They also made an approach for Aston Villa's Tammy Abraham, although that move failed to progress after the striker indicated he wanted to remain at Villa Park.

After failing to secure an alternative, a deal was eventually agreed with Monaco minutes before the deadline. It would have involved a smaller up-front payment, followed by a series of triggered payments based on his progress. Balogun's personal terms remained unchanged.

It was only then that the former Arsenal striker changed his mind, leaving Finch Farm. Monaco's sporting director, Thiago Scuro, told journalists at a news conference on Wednesday that Balogun was "not comfortable" with the way Everton had handled his medical.

Everton believe they supported Balogun throughout the process while being transparent about the issues identified. The club also made clear to the player that they would work with Monaco to explore a solution that could still have allowed the transfer to be completed.

Lack of planning?

To make matters worse, and cast an even more unflattering light on the club's strategy and operation, it all came just hours after Everton had sanctioned striker Beto's £15.5m move to Fiorentina.