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Folarin Balogun transfer chaos sparks fan 'revolt' at Everton
Updated: 2 Sep 2026 15:39 CDT |
5 min read
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Everton supporters are revolting after their club endured a chastening Deadline Day that has left David Moyes with just 18 senior outfield players.
After a promising 2025/26 season, the Toffees wanted to use this summer transfer window to really kick on and take the next step in their development under Moyes, but all of that optimism has now dissipated.
Tuesday's Deadline Day was symbolic of a transfer window that did not go to plan, with the club failing to land their top targets and, in some cases, any targets at all.
The right-back position gave Moyes headaches all summer. After failing to land their Plan A, B and C, Everton left it until the last minute to bring in Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon - a player fans of the French club weren't exactly sad to see depart.
Things are looking even worse up top. Everton allowed Beto to join Fiorentina because they were under the impression that they would sign AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun. This didn't materialise, and now they're stuck with Thierno Barry as their only recognised centre-forward.
Balogun saga has left Everton in dire straits
Everton could still look to dip into the free agents market to add some bodies, but their failed pursuit of Balogun has hit them hard, particularly the manner in which things unravelled.
Everything went according to plan, with the Toffees agreeing a €50 million package for the American striker, but then complications arose during his medical. Club staff weren't entirely convinced by what they saw, despite assurances from Balogun and Monaco that he was fully fit.
The deal was in the balance but not completely off, with Everton still willing to sign him but on renegotiated terms. Monaco, needing a sale and to free up a non-EU spot, ultimately agreed - which, in turn, saw them pull the plug on a deal for Lamine Camara with Chelsea.
Yet at the 11th hour, Balogun had a change of heart and no longer wanted to join Everton, allegedly because he felt wronged by the club over what had transpired during his medical.
Everyone came out of this story unhappy - Everton didn't get their striker, Monaco didn't get their money and Chelsea didn't get Camara. What's more, a move for Man Utd forward Joshua Zirkzee also didn't get off the ground.
During the uncertainty over whether the Balogun transfer could be resurrected, Everton enquired about Zirkzee and reportedly managed to get buy-in from the player. However, Man Utd blocked the move as it was too late for them to source a replacement.
Tammy Abraham, another alternative that was considered during those hectic hours, rebuffed an approach as he wanted to remain at Aston Villa.
Everton fans revolt
Unsurprisingly, the ridicule from rival fans, particularly on social media, has been relentless. For supporters of the club, Deadline Day was the straw that broke the camel's back.
The Everton faithful had already threatened to "riot" the week before when the club was considering selling hometown hero Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest. The overwhelmingly negative response from the fanbase forced the owners, the Friedkins, to step in and veto the deal.
That was the right decision, but Tuesday's events have now seen supporters turn on the owners and especially chief executive Angus Kinnear again, and there is no placating them.
According to BBC reporter Phil McNulty, Everton fans are in "open revolt" against the Friedkins and Kinnear. The events of Tuesday came just hours after the club sold their most creative attacker, Iliman Ndiaye, to Man City for what many believe was a fee below his real value.
As if being left with just one true striker wasn't bad enough, Everton also allowed Adam Aznou to join Malaga on loan, leaving them with just one left-back - in addition to their one right-back.
Unsurprisingly, Everton fans have set up a petition calling on Kinnear to resign, while supporters' groups have issued highly critical statements on the current state of the squad and the club as a whole.
"The conclusion of this summer's transfer window leaves Everton supporters with serious questions about the club's planning, recruitment and decision-making," The Everton Fans' Forum wrote.
"This is not about demanding that Everton spend recklessly. Supporters understand the financial restrictions the club operates under. We are not demanding marquee signings simply for the sake of it. We are demanding competence, preparation and accountability."
The 1878s, a group of volunteers committed to creating a good atmosphere at home games, has announced that it is "standing down for the foreseeable future" after being left "utterly disappointed and disgusted" by the club's transfer business.
They added: "Also for fans asking, just to reiterate - when we design flags, there are rules and regulations that we have to adhere to regarding the wording on our flags during displays, we are not allowed derogatory or offensive wording or images.
"If we were able to get a load of flags in the ground to show our feelings of discontent, disappointment and anger over this whole situation, believe us, we would, but this is something that simply wouldn't be allowed."
This is nothing short of a PR debacle for the club. This mess of a transfer window could have a devastating impact on the team's competitiveness. If Everton aren't careful, they could be dragged into a relegation dogfight.
