Everton want former Arsenal star if £35m Richarlison transfer collapses | Football

Everton are very interested in signing a former Arsenal star, amid the club’s pursuit of Richarlison and Jack Grealish.

It’s been a very busy few days in the transfer market for David Moyes, with Everton looking to sign several big names – and keep their best players – before deadline day on Tuesday.

The Toffees were in talks to sell teenager Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest, but after fans vocally criticised the idea at Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, the £40million deal was called off.

They will however be losing Iliman Ndiaye, who was strongly linked with Arsenal and Manchester City throughout the summer, but is now set to join Tottenham for £60m.

Moyes has moved quickly to replace the highly-rated winger, with talks ongoing to bring Grealish back to Merseyside after a productive loan spell last season.

The England international is in the final year of his contract and was not in the squad for Man City’s win at Crystal Palace on Friday, suggesting a transfer is very much on the cards.

Moreover, Richarlison could also make a shock return to Everton for £35m, four years after he left the club for Tottenham.

The Athletic report that an agreement in principle has been reached for the Brazil forward, but the deal is separate to the one sending Ndiaye in the opposite direction.

Personal terms are yet to be agreed however and 29-year-old has offers elsewhere, meaning he could yet reject a return to Merseyside where he has cult-hero status.

As a result, Everton are keeping their options open, with multiple sources, including Sky Sports, reporting that they are very interested in Monaco striker Folarin Balogun.

The Arsenal academy graduate and USA international was the subject of a major controversy involving Donald Trump at this summer’s World Cup.

But he is also a highly-rated talisman, scoring 19 goals in 43 games for Monaco last season, as well as 12 in 31 caps for his country.

It is said that while the Toffees are considering a late bid for the 25-year-old, their priority is getting Richarlison’s return over the line.

Balogun only made 10 senior appearances for Arsenal before he was sold in 2023, in a deal worth up to £34m. The Gunners are set to profit if Everton buy him, thanks to a 17.5 per cent sell-on clause in his contract.

In other news, Everton are set to finally sign a right-back, namely Kenny Tete after a £9.4m fee was agreed with Fulham.

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