Everton pivot to Zirkzee loan after Balogun medical collapse on deadline day

Everton are in advanced talks to sign Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee on a deadline-day loan after their primary striking target, Folarin Balogun, failed a medical at Goodison Park.

The Toffees had been on the verge of completing a deal for the Monaco and United States international, but negotiations broke down after Everton’s medical staff identified concerns during Balogun’s screening tests. The club subsequently decided against committing significant financial resources to a transfer carrying potential underlying risks.

With the window closing, Everton moved quickly to identify an alternative. According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the club contacted Manchester United directly to explore a loan arrangement for Zirkzee, the 25-year-old Dutch forward who has been frozen out at Old Trafford.

Zirkzee has not featured for a single minute in United’s opening two Premier League fixtures of the 2026/27 season, and his last competitive goal came in a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of 2025. His standing at the club has fallen sharply following the arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko last summer, and he no longer appears to feature in manager Michael Carrick’s plans.

For Everton, the deal represents a salvage operation after the Balogun setback. The club are in need of attacking reinforcement following Iliman Ndiaye’s departure to Manchester City, and while Zirkzee arrives as a secondary option rather than the original target, he offers Premier League experience and depth in a position of clear need.

A loan exit suits all parties: Zirkzee regains regular football, United free up a squad place, and Everton shore up their forward line before the 11pm deadline.