US World Cup Star Folarin Balogun Urged to Reject English Giants

Interest is always high in the January transfer window. Players and teams look at it as an opportune moment to salvage seasons or kick-start stagnating careers. US star Folarin Balogun will likely view it in such terms.

After all, the 25-year-old striker has had a disappointing campaign in 2026/27 at Monaco, after enjoying an electric World Cup with the USMNT. So far this term, the London-born American international has scored only once for his club, with just six appearances under his belt in all competitions.

It’s been a difficult period for Balogun, who scored more goals – with three in four games – at the World Cup this past summer. The former Arsenal striker was actually set to leave Monaco before the new season began, but his £40m move to Everton collapsed on deadline day after concerns were raised during his medical.

He was consequently left out of Monaco’s squad for the first four Ligue 1 games of the season, and only returned to action towards the end of September. With January just around the corner, transfer interest has been reignited in the US star, but he’s been urged to snub a move to one English giant.

Man Utd Eye Winter Move For Balogun

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Much like Balogun, Manchester United have endured a difficult season to date. The Red Devils sit 17th in the Premier League, with just one win from their opening nine games.

Adding to their woes, key striker Benjamin Sesko has been ruled out until 2027 with a shin injury. Looking light up top, Michael Carrick’s side have been linked with a winter move for Balogun. Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney, however, doesn’t think it would be a good fit.

Speaking as a pundit on CBS Sports, as quoted by Goal, Deeney insisted both parties abandon the idea. He explained:

It’s certainly fair to suggest Balogun could struggle to shine if he moves to Old Trafford. For example, the likes of Antony Martial, Memphis Depay, Rasmus Hojlund, Radamel Falcao, Romelu Lukaku and most recently Joshua Zirkzee have all arrived at Man Utd for big money in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, but none lived up to expectations.

Balogun Open to Premier League Return

Reuters/Blake Dahlin

Instead, Deeney suggested the collapsed move to Everton would have suited Balogun far better, pointing to the chances the Toffees create for their strikers:

“I actually thought the move to Everton made sense. What I mean by that is that Everton create good moments, if you see [Thierno] Barry at the moment he doesn’t give himself the best chance, he misses a lot.”

His criticism of Barry seems a little harsh when the striker is currently outscoring Erling Haaland with 10 Premier League goals this term, compared to the Manchester City star’s nine. But it’s fair to suggest Everton might platform Balogun better, offering more goalscoring chances than Man Utd right now.

Deeney added:

Amid all the speculation, US striker appears open to a Premier League move this winter. He told media last month: “Yes, potentially. Football has many twists and turns as we’ve seen after the World Cup. I was close to a transfer, didn’t materialise, but for sure it’s definitely an option.”

It will be interesting to see if Man Utd, or any other English clubs, come in for the Monaco striker, with Man Utd’s 2026/27 transfers all tracked in one place.

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