Everton's chaotic end to the transfer window has sparked widespread criticism of owners The Friedkin Group and chief executive Angus Kinnear after the club failed to secure multiple striker targets on the final day.
American striker Folarin Balogun abandoned his proposed £40 million move from AS Monaco in the early hours of Wednesday, hours after all parties had signed paperwork to complete the deal before Tuesday's 23:00 BST deadline. Monaco's sporting director Thiago Scuro told journalists that Balogun was "not comfortable" with how Everton treated him during his medical.
The collapse came after Everton renegotiated terms when medical issues arose. The club pursued loan alternatives including Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee and Aston Villa's Tammy Abraham, both of whom were unavailable. Everton eventually agreed revised terms with Monaco minutes before the deadline involving a reduced up-front payment and performance-based payments, but Balogun declined to sign.
The failed signing compounded frustration among supporters after the club earlier sanctioned the departures of striker Beto for £15.5 million to Fiorentina and midfielder Iliman Ndiaye for £65 million to Manchester City. Manager David Moyes said after a cup win that the squad needed strengthening, having previously expressed dissatisfaction with summer transfer activity.
Everton ended the window with only one recognised striker in Thierno Barry and 18 senior outfield players. The club also narrowly avoided controversy by blocking the sale of academy prospect Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest after fan backlash. Fan groups have since called for Kinnear's resignation, with supporters saying the squad had been left "dangerously short" in key areas.