Everton ‘submit bid for USA striker Folarin Balogun’ with Richarlison’s transfer return now in major doubt

EVERTON are closing in on a deadline day swoop for the striker at the centre of the World Cup’s biggest storm. The Toffees are ready to complete a £40million deal to land former Arsenal frontman Folarin Balogun from Monaco. Folarin Balogun is closing in on a move to Everton Credit: Getty The move casts doubt over Richarlison’s return to The Toffees Credit: Getty But the move has also cast doubt on the deal to see Richarlison return to Everton from Tottenham, with the club unlikely to sign both. The bid for Balogun would bring the US-born Londoner back to the Prem – just weeks after he became one of the most talked-about players on the planet. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Belgium threatened to take Fifa and the USA team to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after Balogun, 25, was controversially cleared to play the Red Devils in the last 16, despite his red card against Bosnia in the previous round. Fifa chief Gianni Infantino ordered disciplinary bosses to rip up the tournament’s rulebook and wipe Balogun’s automatic ban, following phone calls from US President Donald Trump. Despite the Belgian threat, Balogun did play in the match but he and the rest of Mauricio Pochettino’s team seemed to be unsettled by the furore as they crashed out 4-1. Now Balogun, who made just two appearances for the Gunners but scored 22 in a loan season at Reims ahead of his £38m move to Monaco in 2023, is Merseyside-bound in a move that could end Brazilian Richarlison’s prospects of a return to Everton after four years in N17. Everton will create squad space by sending Guinea-Bissau frontman Beto, who scored 25 goals in his three years at the club, to Fiorentina in a £14.6m move. Brazilian Richarlison had been in line to return to Everton from Spurs following an agreement in principle over a £35m deal, with Iliman Ndiaye heading to south to join the London club. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK But Richarlison, 29, is said to be considering offers from Turkey, while Spurs fear their move for Ndiaye will be hijacked by Manchester City – who also wanted Spurs target Cody Gakpo – after they expressed interest in the winger. Spurs’ plans to land another winger took another hit on Monday afternoon after it was reported Gakpo would not be leaving Liverpool after they failed to find a replacement. Comment now