Balogun to Everton: USMNT star represents good value - but what about Barry?

Analysis

Matthew Judge | Editor

Everton are close to completing the second most expensive signing in their history in the shape of United States international Folarin Balogun.

The 25-year-old is heading to the Toffees after they agreed a €46.7million (£40m) fee with Ligue 1 side Monaco for the striker’s services.

STATS

Folarin Balogun

F (C)

Monaco

Folarin Balogun

F (C)

Monaco

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 43

  Games

• 19

  Goals

• 4

  Assists

View all stats

Should the deal go through, Balogun will sit behind Gylfi Sigurdsson (€49.4m/£42.3m) on the list of Everton’s most costly arrivals.

But what does his signing mean for Thierno Barry? FootballTransfers takes a quick look at what all parties stand to gain from the transfer.

Everton: Good value for money - but a wise move?

Before the start of the season, if you would have asked Everton fans whether they felt their side needed a new striker, most would have replied ‘yes’.

While Barry and Beto scored eight and 10 goals respectively last term, supporters could not hang their hat on either forward due to their shared profligacy.

Compared

Thierno Barry

F (C)

Everton

Thierno Barry

F (C)

Everton

VS

Beto

F (C)

Everton

Beto

F (C)

Everton

2025/2026

Season Statistics

2025/2026

41	Appearances	40
8	Goals	10
0	Assists	1
2067	Minutes Played	1757

Those same supporters will be delighted by the impending arrival of Balogun, especially as he prepares to replace Beto, who is joining Fiorentina for €18m (£15.5m).

Balogun outstripped both Barry and Beto in terms of goals last season, plundering 13 in Ligue 1 and 19 in all competitions for Monaco.

The former Arsenal man also caught the eye for the United States at the 2026 World Cup, scoring three goals in four games for the co-hosts.

Aged 25 and in his peak, Balogun - who is also three years younger than Beto (28), who turns 29 in October - represents good value at €46.7m (£40m) in today’s market.

However, there are some concerns.

While Balogun is more two-footed than both Barry and Beto, he - like them - wants to run in behind and onto penetrative through balls.

Standing at 5ft 10in, shorter than Barry (6ft 5in) and Beto (6ft 4in), Balogun is not an out-and-out target man, yet Everton often play the ball long to get out of trouble.

There is a question over whether Everton are wise to spend the majority of the funds generated from Iliman Ndiaye’s sale to Manchester City on another striker.

While Barry has an ungainly style, he has scored four goals in his opening three matches this season - despite not always receiving the service he likes.

And so some will argue whether Everton should have sold Ndiaye sooner and spent the Balogun money on a quality right-back - a position that has been neglected for years.

The Merseysiders have been linked with Fulham’s Kenny Tete and Lyon’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles - two targets of the past, which only adds to the growing uncertainty around the club’s recruitment setup.

Alternatively, there will be many who will point out the guilt-edged chances Barry missed in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Bournemouth as evidence that Balogun is badly needed.

Monaco: A summer of change for the Ligue 1 side

In the event that Balogun does join Everton, he will become the latest key player to depart the principality club this summer.

After limping into seventh place in Ligue 1 last season, they have sold Maghnes Akliouche and Aladji Bamba to Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United respectively.

There is also growing uncertainty around the future of midfielder Lamine Camara, who Chelsea have targeted as a possible replacement for Enzo Fernandez.

However, Monaco - who have started the new Ligue 1 season playing one up top - will feel they have enough quality in Balogun’s stead.

Head coach Filipe Luis has watched on with delight as Paris Brunner has raced out of the blocks this season, scoring four goals in as many games so far.

Monaco also have Mika Biereth on the books - the 23-year-old having also bagged two goals in three appearances so far this term.