Everton's move for Folarin Balogun collapsed at the end of a chaotic transfer deadline day, leaving the club with just one recognised striker and a squad of 18 senior outfield players.
The move for the striker threatened to break down when an issue was flagged during the player's medical. A deal sheet was submitted after Everton and Monaco pursued negotiations over what was originally set to be a £40m move, but the player is understood to have walked away from the transfer.
Deadline day scramble
The debacle marked the end of a frenetic conclusion to the summer transfer window that will heighten scrutiny on Everton owners the Friedkin Group and senior figures at the club.
Balogun was set to be a marquee signing who would improve the club's forward line heading into the rest of the season. Instead, the breakdown of his move leaves Everton with just one recognised striker after Beto was sold to Fiorentina hours before trouble hit the Balogun affair.
Backup plans fall through
When the move first looked like stalling, Everton enquired with Manchester United over a loan move for Joshua Zirkzee and with Aston Villa over Tammy Abraham. Man Utd refused to sanction Zirkzee's exit while Abraham preferred to remain at Villa Park.
There was hope the deal for Balogun would proceed but it was called off as Everton scrambled to finalise the move in the final minutes available to them.
Squad concerns
The result is that the club is now reliant on Thierno Barry to lead the frontline, though Brennan Johnson could offer him some support.
They will have the creativity of Jack Grealish, who returned on loan from Manchester City, and Everton acquired Ainsley Maitland-Niles as a solution to their right-back woes.
But the sale of Beto and Iliman Ndiaye leaves Moyes short of attacking options and with a squad of just 18 senior outfield players after a summer in which the message from above was that Everton would strengthen.
