Everton sold two forwards before the transfer deadline and then watched their intended £40 million replacement withdraw from his move after arriving on Merseyside.

Folarin Balogun travelled from Monaco on deadline day to complete a transfer that was expected to leave David Moyes with a new first-choice striker.

Everton had already sold Beto to Fiorentina and Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City, creating both the funds and considerable space required for Balogun’s arrival.

The club successfully completed that part of the succession plan.

Complications emerged during Balogun’s medical after Everton identified a potential issue and attempted to renegotiate the structure of the agreement. Revised terms were eventually reached with Monaco and a deal sheet was submitted before the deadline.

Balogun then decided not to proceed.

Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro claimed the striker was unhappy with how Everton handled the medical process. Everton sources reportedly attributed the delays to Balogun’s late arrival and the time required to receive his medical records.

Whatever caused the disagreement, Balogun remained a Monaco player and Everton finished the window with Thierno Barry as their only recognised senior striker.

Late attempts to sign Joshua Zirkzee and Tammy Abraham on loan were also unsuccessful, ensuring Everton completed the difficult task of selling their forwards without being distracted by the arrival of replacements.

The collapse also contributed to Monaco withdrawing from a £47 million agreement to sell Lamine Camara to Chelsea, allowing Everton’s unfinished transfer to affect another Premier League club’s unfinished transfer.

Everton entered deadline day planning to replace two departing forwards. They finished it with two departures, no replacement and considerably more room in attack than intended.