Arsenal star’s future plunged into doubt by transfer admission
Robin Bairner
- 9 Aug 2023 06:42 BST
- 3 min read
Inter Milan have made a public confession that they are interested in Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun – but the Serie A giants have equally shot down the prospect of moving for Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku for a third time.
Inter are on the hunt for their No.9 for the 2023/24 campaign and have been sounding out both players over the course of the transfer window to date.
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Lukaku, though, has talked himself out of a third spell at San Siro by reportedly angering the Champions League finalists. While in discussions with the Nerazzurri, he held what the Italians claim were secret discussions with Juventus, sending their supporters into a frenzy against the Belgium international, who spent last term on loan at the club.
Balogun, 22, has emerged as one of their leading targets since then, with the young USMNT attacker having enjoyed a breakthrough season in Ligue 1 with Reims on loan last term. While in France, he scored more than 20 league goals.
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Inter confirm Balogun interest
Clearly this was enough to catch the eye of Inter, who have confirmed an interest in Balogun.
“We want someone who can score goals and for sure Balogun is one of the opportunities, but not the only one we are tracking,” Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio said.
One of those other players that Inter are following, though, is not Lukaku, with Ausilio shooting down the suggestion out of hand.
“Lukaku deal? I’m not interested,” he said.
Inter are reportedly willing to invest significantly in Balogun, but there has been a sticking point over Arsenal’s transfer demands for the forward.
The Gunners have put a €50 million price tag on the Hale End graduate, who only has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €21m.
Balogun has told Arsenal to drop their asking price, with Monaco having had a €30m offer rejected for the 22-year-old, while Inter are ready to make a take-it-or-leaving it offer of €35m plus bonuses.
