Lukaku hands Arsenal chance of €40m transfer windfall
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 26 Jul 2023 13:14 BST
- 3 min read
Inter Milan are turning their attention towards Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun after seeing a deal for Romelu Lukaku breakdown in recent days.
Inter had prioritised Lukaku at the beginning of the summer transfer window but are now prepared to put the €40 million they were ready to pay for the Belgium international striker towards the USMNT youngster.
Lukaku has proven to be a major headache for Chelsea this summer, with no club yet willing to prise him away from Stamford Bridge, despite being very publicly on the market.
MORE: Chelsea RESTART talks to sell Romelu Lukaku
Links to Serie A are regular for the 22-year-old, with the striker’s decision to hold secret talks with Juventus he reason for Inter turning their back on the hitman. Indeed, the Nerazzurri have been left furious by the player’s behaviour, with fans and critics claiming that he has betrayed them.
Alfredo Pedulla claims that Inter are now readying themselves to make a bid for Balogun, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €21m and is now their top target in attack.
He says that Inter’s transfer budget is €40m for a striker and they are willing to put all that money towards Balogun. That may not be an upfront payment for Arsenal, though, with the Champions League finalists set to install some bonus payments that would take the total worth of their offer towards that mark.
MORE: Arsenal star REMOVED from first-team training as transfer saga rumbles on
Arsenal’s Balogun conundrum
Arsenal, meanwhile, reportedly raised their asking price for Balogun from €40m to €60m last week, jeopardising any hopes that the US international forward could move to the black and blue San Siro club.
Out of contract in 2025, Arsenal can afford to take their time over Balogun, though the Gunners need to sell if they are to complete any more incoming transfers, with their budget spent on Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz.
