Everton may have dodged a bullet with Folarin Balogun as new move ruled out
Everton may not have another chance to sign AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun.
Deadline day brought plenty of drama at the Toffees, with the attacker pulling the plug on a possible deal in the final hours.
The Blues needed attacking reinforcements after losing Iliman Ndiaye and Beto, but failed to add depth to David Moyes' squad.
Balogun has admitted he wants to play in the Premier League after a move to Hill Dickinson Stadium didn't materialise.
The Scottish manager desperately needs another number nine in L3, with Thierno Barry currently the only natural option up front.
With the USMNT star expressing his desire to move to England, the possibility of signing for the Merseyside outfit has once again been raised.
Why Folarin Balogun comments don't mean much for Everton
The Premier League is still an option for Balogun after pulling the plug on a transfer to the Toffees.
It was the striker who ultimately decided he didn't want to move to Hill Dickinson Stadium, which should be factored in.
After failing to get a move to a Champions League club, the 25-year-old probably saw the Blues as a stepping stone.
Despite what Balogun has said about playing in England again, the Merseyside outfit shouldn't be considered in the race for him.
Speaking on The Blue Room podcast, The Athletic's Greg O'Keeffe said, "I think elements of the way the move fell apart were, if not a full red flag about him as the overall package, there was certainly a strong amber flag.
"Everton were offering more than what he was on at Monaco and he would be back in England and able to get a crack at proving himself again.
"He probably would've been thinking, 'Couple of good seasons at Everton and move on again.' I'm not sure his heart was in it.
"Those quotes... I read them as, 'I'd be interested in playing in the Premier League.' Definitely don't read them as a come-and-get-me-again to Everton."
What David Moyes will need at Everton in January
Everton have got off to an unbeaten start in the Premier League after five matches.
The Toffees' defence has been one of their biggest strengths as they sit seventh in the league table.
Moyes' team have kept three clean sheets so far, conceding just three goals, the joint-best defensive record in the league.
What the Blues lack in attack, they certainly make up for in defence.
Despite the strong start to the campaign, the Merseyside outfit's season could be derailed by just a few injuries.
Beyond the clear need to bolster the forward line, Moyes also needs adequate cover for Vitalii Mykolenko.
The winter transfer could determine whether the Toffees push higher up the table or settle for a midtable finish again.