Folarin Balogun captured global attention with his standout performances for the USMNT during the 2026 World Cup, attracting interest from leading clubs across Europe. Now on the brink of completing a transfer to Premier League side Everton, the reported fee is set to establish Balogun as the second-most expensive player in USMNT history, trailing only Christian Pulisic.
A chain of transfer movements in Italy ultimately brought Balogun closer to a Premier League return. With Como 1907 pursuing Moise Kean, Fiorentina redirected their focus toward Portuguese striker Beto, who was seen in Florence completing medical evaluations after Everton agreed to a €17 million ($19.7 million USD) permanent transfer proposal, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Alongside Beto’s departure, Everton are preparing to finalize another significant sale in attacker Iliman Ndiaye. As reported by Ben Jacobs, Manchester City reached a £60 million plus £5 million in add-ons ($81.2 million plus $6.8 million USD, totaling $88 million USD) agreement with Everton for the Senegalese international, producing a substantial financial windfall that allows the Toffees to pursue Balogun and strengthen their attacking lineup.
According to Fabrizio Romano, AS Monaco have accepted Everton’s proposal to sign Folarin Balogun on a permanent transfer. The agreement is structured as a total package worth €50 million ($58 million USD), consisting of €45 million guaranteed plus €5 million in potential add-ons, along with a future sell-on clause.
Folarin Balogun of the USMNT celebrating. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
The transfer insider disclosed that Balogun has already agreed to personal terms with Everton, arranging a four-year contract through June 2030 with a club option for an additional season. The USMNT striker is expected to travel on Tuesday to undergo medical examinations and formally finalize the transfer.
Pulisic retains his position at the top
At $58 million USD for the total package, Balogun surpasses his previous personal transfer record set when Monaco paid Arsenal €30 million plus €10 million in add-ons ($46.4 million USD total) in 2023. However, the fee still falls short of overtaking Christian Pulisic for the top spot.
Pulisic remains the most expensive player in USMNT history following his landmark €64 million ($74.2 million USD) transfer to Chelsea. In January 2019, the London club paid the transfer fee to Borussia Dortmund before loaning him back to the Bundesliga side for six months prior to his summer arrival in England.
Most expensive USMNT players in history
With Balogun’s upcoming transfer to Everton taken into account, the most expensive transfers involving USMNT players are ranked as follows:
