Balogun reveals 'easy decision' to turn down Chelsea transfer from Arsenal
Suraj Radia
- 9 Sept 2023 14:15 BST
- 3 min read
Folarin Balogun was one of the most wanted strikers on the market this summer before he made a €40 million move to Monaco from Arsenal, turning down interest from Chelsea among other teams in the process.
The 22-year-old came through the academy at Arsenal but made just two Premier League appearances before being loaned out to Reims last season, where he excelled by scoring 21 goals in 37 Ligue 1 games.
Balogun’s form prompted the American to leave Arsenal permanently in search of more first team opportunities and, while Chelsea were said to have made an approach to sign him, the forward insisted it was an ‘easy decision’ to join Monaco instead.
RELIEF: Gunners spared Chelsea embarrassment after Balogun joins Monaco
“In the end when Monaco were interested it was, really, an easy decision for me,” Balogun told Offside With Taylor Twellman. “I told my agent: "This is the only place I wanted to go." And luckily for me, he made it happen.
“I feel like, for me, it was important to obviously go to a side that's competing to win stuff. They're a really big team in the French league.
“At the same time, I want to play games. I want to be able to prove myself and prove to people around that I'm capable of playing and being the main striker for a team.”
Balogun making moves for both club and country
Balogun will feature for the United States this week in their friendlies against Uzbekistan and Oman, having made his debut for the USMNT earlier this year.
While he was born in New York, Balogun’s family moved to London when he was two years old and the striker played for England from the under-17 to under-21 level.
He also featured briefly for the United States under-18 team and considered playing for Nigeria’s senior side, with his parents having been born there, but Balogun was eventually recruited by the US and scored in the CONCACAF Nations League final against Canada in June.
REVEALED: How much Balogun ended up costing Monaco
“I'm enjoying every moment here. It's a pleasure and an honour to be called up,” Balogun said. “The vibes here are just amazing. They made me feel really welcome.”
