Folarin Balogun offered redemption as 'bad boy' replacement faces ban

Updated: 14 Sept 2026 16:48 BST |
4 min read

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Folarin Balogun’s reintegration into the AS Monaco team could be fast-tracked as his in-form replacement Paris Brunner faces a potential ban.

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The American forward has not played a competitive game since he impressed at the World Cup. Balogun reportedly played through a knee problem at the tournament and has been sidelined ever since.

It was this injury that raised concerns at Everton over a Deadline Day transfer two weeks ago. Balogun was on Merseyside to complete a €50 million move, but the Toffees renegotiated with Monaco after discovering his fitness issue.

Although a new agreement was eventually reached, Balogun had a change of heart and decided against making the move, allegedly because he was upset that Everton questioned his physical capabilities.

This was a disaster for both Everton and Monaco as there was no time left in the window to consider alternative solutions. The Toffees were left without a new striker, while the principality club missed out on a much-needed financial windfall.

Balogun fast-tracked into Monaco squad?

In the two weeks since that dramatic Deadline Day, there hasn’t been much movement around Balogun. Most transfer windows closed without a new transfer opportunity emerging for the 25-year-old.

Monaco, meanwhile, sought to balance the books with the painful sale of their longest-serving player, Aleksandr Golovin, but the Russia international turned down a last-minute return to his home country last week.

With Balogun set to stay at least until January, it was reported last week that he would be fully reintegrated into Monaco’s squad. Having already resumed training, it was posited that he could make his return to the pitch against RC Lens this Friday.

Indeed, Monaco may be left with no choice but to fast-track Balogun’s return because Paris Brunner, who has starred in the absence of the American, is potentially facing a ban.

The 20-year-old, who is no stranger to controversy, scored his fifth goal of the season – in spectacular fashion – in Monaco’s 1-1 draw with Strasbourg at the weekend and celebrated with a throat-cutting gesture directed at Racing’s fans.

Although he was not punished at the time, L’Equipe understands that he is potentially liable to a retroactive suspension as the referee noted the incident down in his match report.

“They insulted my family, my mother, my father,” Brunner explained. “Emotions ran high, especially after a goal like that. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful. It happened in the heat of the moment. I wouldn’t say I regret it, but that wasn’t the message I wanted to send. It was misunderstood.”

A potential suspension could give Balogun the opportunity to win back his place, but Monaco don’t need to take a risk with his fitness as they also have other options at their disposal.

New signing Mathis Abline can play as a centre-forward, as can Mike Biereth, although he has fallen on hard times lately. He scored 13 goals in his first 16 Ligue 1 matches for Monaco two seasons ago, but he only bagged two last term.

The Dane scored in both legs of Monaco’s Conference League qualifying triumph over Gornik Zabrze earlier this season, yet after not finding the back of the net in two Ligue 1 games, he has now been an unused substitute in back-to-back matches.

If he is fit enough to play, Balogun could get a shot at redemption as early as this Friday.