How US media reacted to Everton target Folarin Balogun after red card vs Bosnia

Everton's centre-forward target Folarin Balogun continues to make a name for himself at the 2026 World Cup this summer.

He began the tournament with a well-taken brace against Paraguay in USA's opener, before picking up a yellow card against Austrlian and then being rested against Turkey.

In their round of 32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday, 2 July, it looked as though the 24-year-old was set for the perfect knockout game.

On the stroke of half-time, a fortunate deflection saw the ball fall into Balogun's stride, allowing him to fire past Nikola Vasilj with ease.

But just after the hour mark and the 24-year-old was being sent for an early bath following an accident collision with Tarik Muharemovic.

There was absolutely no malice in the challenge that got himself sent off, but even so, it might raise some questions about a potential move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Folarian Balogun at centre of 'historic' World Cup moment

Football Insider revealed that Balogun is on Everton's radar as they explore summer striker options but a "huge" deal would be needed to seal the striker's signature.

Even after his red card, he appeared to have won the hearts of everyone watching, with NBC Sports awarding him a 7/10 rating.

They wrote: "His goal was well taken and the red card harsh, full stop. There was zero intent or even awareness that he would catch Tarik Muharemovic from behind. Clumsy, yes. Malicious, never in a million years."

Sports Illustrated were just as understanding, writing: "It wasn't the day Balogun would have imagined, and the USMNT will miss him against Belgium, but his goal still stood as the winner in the historic match."

Missing the Belgium game in the round of 16 will be massively disappointing for the player, especially given that he's one of USA's most dangerous forwards.

Is Balogun the answer to Everton's striker problems?

The Toffees are no stranger to having planks of deadwood through the middle of the pitch, with Beto and Thierno Barry struggling to make the right impact.

While the aforementioned duo finished the 2025-26 campaign on 10 and eight goals, respectively, notched 19 in all competitions.

Although his time at Arsenal was nowhere near as successful as many expected, he is now a totally different player, one vastly more experienced.

The 24-year-old has already proven on the biggest stage of them all that he has what it takes to lead the line, so why can't he do that for Everton?