Everton Balogun bid opens talks with Monaco as the Toffees seek a new striker following Beto’s €17m move to Fiorentina

Everton have made a bold move for Folarin Balogun after submitting an official bid to AS Monaco for the United States international on Monday, August 31, 2026, as manager David Moyes seeks a new striker following Beto’s impending €17 million transfer to Fiorentina.

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The approach, reported by transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, has opened negotiations between Everton and Monaco with the Premier League club working to strengthen their forward line before the transfer window closes.

“Everton have sent official bid to AS Monaco for Folarin Balogun as negotiations are ongoing,” Romano reported.

The proposed move comes as Everton prepare to part company with Beto, who is set to complete a permanent switch to Fiorentina for €17 million.

The Portuguese-born Guinea-Bissau international was Everton’s leading scorer last season, registering 10 goals across all competitions. His departure would leave Moyes needing another reliable source of goals, making Balogun an increasingly significant target.

Balogun, 25, has previous Premier League experience with Arsenal but established his reputation during a loan spell at Reims, where he scored 22 goals during the 2022-23 campaign.

The striker subsequently joined Monaco in 2023 after leaving Arsenal and has since continued to develop his reputation in French football.

He also played a prominent role for the United States at the 2026 World Cup, further raising his profile ahead of the new season.

Everton’s interest comes with the club pushing to reshape its attack before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Reports indicate that the proposed Balogun deal could be worth around £40 million, although the precise structure of Everton’s official offer to Monaco has not been confirmed.

The move would represent a return to English football for Balogun, who was developed through Arsenal’s academy before making his senior breakthrough and spending time on loan at Middlesbrough.

His prolific spell at Reims persuaded Monaco to invest heavily in the forward, with the French club signing him in 2023 in a deal that could eventually reach €40 million.

Everton’s pursuit is also being shaped by the club’s wider transfer activity.

Beto’s expected move to Fiorentina will create both space in the squad and additional funds for Moyes, who is attempting to strengthen Everton before the deadline.

The Toffees have been active in the closing stages of the window, with Balogun emerging as one of the most important pieces of their attacking plans.

For Monaco, the decision is less straightforward. Balogun remains a valuable forward, and his departure would leave the Ligue 1 club needing to assess whether an adequate replacement can be secured before the French transfer window closes.

Reports suggest Monaco have considered other attacking options should Balogun leave, while the forward is understood to be open to a move back to England.

The timing leaves little room for prolonged negotiations.

Everton will now hope that discussions with Monaco can progress quickly enough for Balogun to become the latest addition to Moyes’ squad, while Monaco must decide whether the financial terms justify allowing their striker to depart.

For Everton, the calculation is straightforward. Beto is leaving, and another goalscorer is required.

Balogun’s pace, movement and previous experience in English football make him an attractive option as the club looks to add greater attacking threat ahead of a demanding Premier League campaign.

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The coming hours will determine whether Everton’s official approach develops into an agreement, but the bid has made clear that Balogun is now a serious late-window target for Moyes and the Toffees.