Arsenal set £50m asking price for Folarin Balogun as Monaco and Inter Milan circle
Arsenal have set a huge asking price of £50m for their young striker Folarin Balogun, as Monaco and Inter Milan circle the 22-year-old. The Gunners have turned down an offer from the Ligue 1 side, but negotiations are set to continue.
Balogun has only ever scored two goals for Arsenal, but an impressive loan spell with Reims in France last season has seen his value skyrocket. The forward scored 22 goals in 39 games for the Ligue 1 side, and has become a target for a number of big clubs across Europe as a result.
Monaco have firmed up their interest, with the Athletic reporting that a bid has been made and turned down by Arsenal, although the value of the offer has not been confirmed. The report states that Monaco’s interest in Balogun remains, though, and negotiations are set to continue, with the club’s sporting director, Thiago Scuro, on good terms with Edu, who holds the same post at Arsenal.
Inter Milan are also interested in Balogun, although have also been put off by Arsenal’s £50m valuation and will not be meeting it for the striker’s services. They are becoming increasingly desperate to bring in a striker, though, after failing in a move for Gianluca Scamacca and both Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku departing.
Balogun has two years left on his contract with the Gunners but is keen on a permanent move away this summer to find regular playing time elsewhere. With Arsenal competing on four fronts this season there would certainly be playing time for the striker, but he appears to be behind Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in the pecking order.
It remains to be seen if Arsenal will be able to hold onto Balogun this summer, but with Monaco and Inter Milan both keen on the 22-year-old, it looks like it could be a long summer of negotiations ahead for the Gunners.
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