Deadline Day drama as a medical ‘issue’ might cause big problems for Man United
Everton’s Deadline Day looks like it might hit a few bumps after one of their main targets didn’t pass his medical test.
David Moyes had three big goals for the last day of the transfer window – to sign a right-back, a winger, and a striker. Early on Tuesday (September 1), Everton agreed to pay £4.2 million for Lyon’s right-back, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who used to play for Arsenal. He’s expected to join the team before the window closes.
They also made a deal to bring Jack Grealish back on a season-long loan from Manchester City. The 30-year-old was even seen having his medical at Finch Farm.
In a separate move, Iliman Ndiaye officially became a Man City player around 9 pm on Deadline Day. He transferred for £65 million, two years after Everton signed him from Marseille for £15 million. Ndiaye was a fan favorite, scoring 17 goals and making 4 assists in 74 games, with his last match being a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Saturday.
With Ndiaye leaving, plus Beto’s move to Fiorentina for £15.4 million, Moyes really needs to bring in a striker. Right now, Thierno Barry is the only senior center-forward on the squad, so fans were excited when Everton agreed a £40 million deal to sign Florian Balogun from AS Monaco. Balogun, a USMNT player, had no problem agreeing personal terms and looked close to signing a contract.
But late on Tuesday, Fabrizio Romano shared on X that Balogun’s move is “in jeopardy” because he failed his medical. Even though Monaco and his team say he’s fit to play, things are still up in the air.
Everton is still trying to get the deal done, but Sky Sports reporter Danyal Khan revealed they’ve also made a last-minute offer for Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee. Zirkzee wants to leave Old Trafford to get more playing time this season. He was even offered a loan plus a €30 million option to buy by Fiorentina but turned it down because he wants to stay in the Premier League.
David Ornstein says Zirkzee would be “keen” to move to Everton. He hasn’t played in Everton’s first two Premier League games and has only scored 9 goals in 75 appearances since joining Man United for £36.5 million two years ago. Fans will be hoping for a big improvement if he joins, but it all depends on what happens with Balogun’s medical.
Fingers crossed Everton can sort everything out in these final hours!