USA's Folarin Balogun Reportedly Nearing Premier League Return With Everton

Folarin Balogun is nearing a return to the Premier League. The United States men's national team striker, who came up in Arsenal F.C.'s academy system and spent three years with the senior team, is in talks over a move to Everton F.C., according to a report from The Athletic on Monday. Everton and AS Monaco, Balogun's current club, have reached an agreement on a $52.2 million transfer fee plus $5.8 million in add-ons for a total package worth roughly $58 million, according to the report. Monaco paid $32.5 million with add-ons that brought the overall deal to $43.4 million. Personal terms between Balogun and Everton are still being finalized, according to the report. If Balogun and Everton are able to reach personal terms, he will play in the Premier League for the first time since August 2021. Balogun, 25, has spent the last four seasons in France. He most notably finished the 2022-23 as the fourth-highest goalscorer in Ligue 1, behind Kylian Mbappe, Alexandre Lacazette and Jonathan David. Balogun's breakout at the club level earned him a call-up to the United States men's national team in 2023. He's scored 12 goals in 31 appearances for the U.S., including three goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.