One of the Arsenal players whose sale is anticipated in the final days of the summer transfer window is Folarin Balogun.
Having been left out of the Community Shield triumph over Manchester City and the Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest, the striker is unlikely to feature in Mikel Arteta’s plans this season. Balogun hasn’t played for the Gunners since their 5-0 victory over the MLS All-Stars in a pre-season friendly on July 19.
In regards to Balogun’s future before the weekend, Arteta remained vague. I’m sorry, I can’t talk about internal matters here. Another indication that the 22-year-old would depart the club is the Arsenal manager’s choice to leave the USMNT star out of the matchday squad versus Forest in favor of Eddie Nketiah.
Football.london has learned that the club is willing to sell Balogun for the right price. This price, which is estimated to be about £50 million, has deterred Inter Milan this summer.
After having an offer in writing rejected by Arsenal after their Emirates Cup match, AS Monaco has also found it difficult to reach an agreement. But as of late, reports claim that the Ligue 1 team is now in the lead to sign Balogun.
The Secret Scout claims that Monaco is the front-runner in the hunt to sign Balogun, with West Ham United also showing interest after allowing Gianluca Scamacca to sign with Atalanta.
For Balogun, moving to Europe has always felt like the best course of action. His 21 goals for Stade de Reims in the previous season were only surpassed in France by Kylian Mbappe, Jonathan David, and Alexandre Lacazette. Balogun had no trouble adjusting to life in France, which may be the reason Monaco is interested in him.
After losing Breel Embolo to injury, Adi Hutter’s team is in dire need of a new striker. Their chances of competing with Paris Saint-Germain for the Ligue 1 championship would only be enhanced by Balogun’s performance in the nation last year.
Balogun will eventually need to make a choice. Given the number of clubs interested in hiring him, a long-term relocation to France would be the ideal resolution to this transfer story.