Everton‘s deadline day was a complete disaster, leaving manager David Moyes with a dangerously thin squad of just 18 senior outfield players and glaring holes throughout the roster.
The club sparked the chaos by authorizing the sale of key attacking and defensive assets to raise funds, allowing striker Beto to join Fiorentina and forward Iliman Ndiaye to leave for Manchester City.
The board also approved the permanent transfer of right-back Nathan Patterson to Torino. This departure, combined with previous defensive departures, left the squad completely depleted of natural fullback depth, forcing the team to enter a grueling Premier League season with little specialized cover on either defensive flank.
To fill the massive void left upfront, the board initially planned a £40 million bid for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun. However, Everton paused at the medical stage due to late fitness concerns, abruptly shifting their focus to Manchester United‘s Joshua Zirkzee instead.
When United firmly blocked Zirkzee’s exit, Everton’s desperate hierarchy was forced to return to Monaco in the closing hours of the transfer window. Taking advantage of the ticking clock, Everton successfully renegotiated the Balogun fee, prompting Monaco to accept the new terms and approve the transfer.
🚨 Folarin Balogun transfer from Monaco to Everton off. Deal for 25yo #ASMonaco striker renegotiated after issues during medical & deal sheet submitted; but USA international decided not to proceed + left #EFC training ground without signing @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/uXjWE3Nd95
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) September 1, 2026
The ultimate collapse took place at Finch Farm, after a formal deal sheet had already been submitted to the Premier League. Despite both clubs reaching a full legal agreement, Balogun abruptly changed his mind in the last hour of the window.
He refused to sign the contract and walked away, leaving the training ground to return to Liverpool without completing the transfer.
This catastrophic failure rendered Everton completely toothless up front. After selling Beto, the club was unable to find a direct replacement, leaving new signing Thierno Barry as the squad’s only recognized senior central striker.
Late loan deals for Manchester City’s Jack Grealish and Olympique Lyonnais‘s Ainsley Maitland-Niles provided some versatility, but they did nothing to address the critical lack of recognized fullbacks or central goals.
The handling of the window sparked immediate outrage and disbelief among Goodison Park fans. And fans began to question the club’s decision,
Fair play Everton, you’ve just found a way to concede in extra time when we’re not even fu**ing playing.
Supporters sharply criticized the board and ownership for their reckless strategy of selling core players before incoming deals were finalized.
With a grueling winter schedule ahead, fans are concerned that the severely depleted squad lacks the depth, pace, and physical resilience needed to avoid a serious relegation battle.
We just got food chained nobody. We got food chained by the option to simply not sign for us. Everton got food chained by a man remembering he has free will and doesn’t have to come here
With less than an hour remaining in a disastrous transfer window, Everton’s announcement of the return of stadium donuts came at a bad time for fans waiting for a striker.
This is truly sensational work 👏🏼
— John Quirk (@johnquirky) September 1, 2026
Announcing doughnuts are back with 50 minutes left during the worst transfer window in living memory.
This has almost got me excited to see what way they’ve dreamed up to lose the derby this year. https://t.co/ytJGi8Ru3V
Expectations have dropped so low that fans are already joking about new ways to lose the Merseyside derby.
— Sam (@efcsam16) September 1, 2026
— Jordan (@Jordolenko) September 1, 2026
Sarcasm has become a coping mechanism after years of financial difficulties, point deductions, and stressful deadlines. And fans began to mock the club’s priorities in social media about the transfer decision done by the club.
Thierno Barry when the final whistle blows on his 50th straight full game for Everton: 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/E9S9QQaIqk
— No Context Prem (@NoContextEPL) September 1, 2026
— Alan G (@alan1878) September 1, 2026
The squad lacks natural fullback cover, and Thierno Barry is the only senior striker, which make fans raising questions about how they will cope with a full Premier League season.
