AC Milan revive interest in Arsenal starlet Balogun

Stuart Telford

• 11 Mar 2023 10:42 GMT
• 3 min read

Folarin Balogun has lit up Ligue 1 on loan at Reims from Arsenal, and AC Milan want to add the England youth international to their ranks next summer.

Balogun has hit 15 goals in 25 games for Reims, with his two assists for good measure giving him a goal-involvement every 115 minutes he has played in the French top flight this term.

But his path to first-team football back at parent club Arsenal is blocked by Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, and the New York-born striker could be looking for a new project at the end of the current campaign.

READ: Arsenal loan star Folarin Balogun up for Ligue 1 award

Milan have previously scouted Balogun, and with incumbent strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud 41 and 36 respectively, the need for rejuvenation up front is obvious, and 21-year-old Balogun would fit the bill.

Can Milan afford Balogun?

"Milan are shifting their focus to a younger profile and one name circled in red is Folarin Balogun's, the youngster born in 2001 currently on loan from Arsenal to Reims," report Gazzetta dello Sport.

"A potential obstacle? Arsenal won't sell at a discount and if today they want up to €25 million, the price could rise between now and June. Champions League qualification for Milan would be the deciding difference in their budget."

READ: Chelsea to make €100m bid for Rafa Leao

Milan are currently fifth in Serie A, 18 points behind league leaders Napoli but only outside of the Champions League places on goal-difference after 25 games played.

Balogun is currently rated at €14.9m by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, but with a contract at the Emirates that runs until 2025, Arsenal could hold out for more.

Milan's budget will also be seriously impacted by Rafa Leo's future. The Rossoneri are prepared to make the Portuguese the highest-paid player at the club, but interest from the Premier League could see him attract a fee of up to €100m.