Arsenal continue transfer talks after €42m REJECTION
Tom Hancock
- 16 Aug 2023 21:22 BST
- 3 min read
Arsenal are preparing for another bid from Monaco for striker Folarin Balogun, who has been the subject of interest from clubs around Europe.
The 22-year-old USA international enjoy a breakout season on loan at Reims last term, and fellow Ligue 1 outfit Monaco appear to be leading the race to sign him on a permanent basis.
That’s after Inter Milan and even Arsenal’s arch-rivals Tottenham were linked with the Gunners academy graduate.
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According to football.london, Monaco are likely to table a second offer for Balogun after failing with their initial €42m (£36m) approach.
The eight-time champions of France are keen to bring in the five-foot-ten forward following his excellent goalscoring exploits in 2022/23.
Balogun found the net 21 times in 37 Ligue 1 appearances for Reims; only Jonathan David, former Arsenal man Alexandre Lacazette, and Kylian Mbappe scored more goals in the French top flight last season.
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’We’ll see what happens’
With the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Eddie Nketiah very much in Mikel Arteta’s plans, Balogun’s route to regular first-team football at Arsenal looks blocked for the time being.
And that won’t do for him: he wants to be playing week in, week out – and, realistically, the only way he’s going to do that is if he leaves the Gunners.
Discussing his next steps back in June, Balogun said: “I definitely won’t go [out] on loan again- then I’m not sure what’s going to happen.”
He then told AFTV last month: “I mean, I want to play as well. We’ll have to see what happens.”
You have to say they’re typical responses from a player whose future is up in the air – but with deadline day getting closer in closer, the situation will become clear soon enough.
