Folarin Balogun transfer latest: Agreement close, Arsenal decision, Chelsea and Tottenham twist

Arsenal frontman Folarin Balogun has been linked with a transfer to the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham in recent weeks

Folarin Balogun’s time with Arsenal could very well come to an end this summer.

The talented young striker wasn’t involved in either of the Gunners’ opening two Premier League outings despite the fact that first-choice centre-forward Gabriel Jesus is currently sidelined due to a knee injury. Mikel Arteta’s side are open to selling the USMNT international this summer for the right price, football.london understands.

Serie A outfit Inter Milan have been put off by the north London club’s £50million price tag, while Ligue 1 side Monaco have also seen an offer turned down by Arsenal, although they are expected to return with an improved offer before the transfer window slams shut.

So, football.london has taken a look at everything you need to know about the Hale End academy graduate’s future at the Emirates Stadium below.

Agreement close

AS Monaco are nearing a verbal agreement with Arsenal over the signing of striker Folarin Balogun this summer, reports Sky Sports News. Personal terms are claimed to be agreed in principal, while talks continue over the fee and the payment structure in the coming days.

Chelsea and Tottenham price decision

Arsenal are set to inflate the price of Folarin Balogun’s transfer if he is to move to teams that the north London outfit deem as competitors, reports the Daily Mail. Both Chelsea and Tottenham have been linked with switches over the summer, meaning they could see a steep increase on the £50million price tag.

New bid

AS Monaco are reportedly set to make a formal bid for Folarin Balogun worth more than £35million, according to talkSPORT.

The French side have already been unsuccessful in an attempt to sign the USMNT star but are expected to revisit the situation.

READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: New bid, Mohammed Kudus price tag, Gabriel Magalhaes latest

Fresh price claim

Balogun is keen on a shock move to Chelsea, as per the Mirror.

It is claimed that the Gunners may lower their current £50million asking price for the 22-year-old, instead settling for just above £40million considering time is running out before the summer transfer window slams shut.

Chelsea stance

Chelsea have been given a huge boost to their hopes of signing Folarin Balogun. According to the Evening Standard, the Blues have sounded out the American, who’s open to joining.

The report states that Arsenal are aware of Chelsea’s interest and they want around £50million for his signature. It’s said that Monaco have already had a £34million bid for Balogun rejected, while Fulham are keeping tabs on the striker as they look to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Balogun gives fans hint on exit

The USMNT international shared a hint as to his current situation with the Arsenal team on his social media, showing himself alone in one of the team’s gyms.

Having trained alone during the club’s pre-season tour of the U.S, it’s possible Balogun has been working out alone or away from the first team for a significant period of time and is preparing for a move away by keeping his fitness levels up.

A single ‘thumbs up’ emoji was the caption, highlighting Balogun’s loneliness as the rest of the squad travel down to Selhurst Park to face off against Crystal Palace looking for back-to-back wins to kick-off their Premier League campaign.

Ligue 1 rival holdup

Reports suggest that Tottenham, who are interested in the 22-year-old, have both him and Canadian international Jonathan David at the top of their list of targets to secure before the window closes.

The introduction of David into the mix could see one option open to Balogun be shut off quickly, and memories can be cast back to last season where David was just one of three players to score more goals than the Gunners striker in Ligue 1.

Only Kylian Mbappe (29), Alexandre Lacazette (27) and David (24) netted more times than the USMNT star, who spent the season with Reims scoring 21 times in 37 appearances.

Fulham boost

Premier League side Fulham have been linked with a move for Balogun in recent times.

The Cottagers are in need of a centre-forward after Aleksandar Mitrovic left to join the Saudi Pro League for a fee worth in the region of £45million. The Gunners may now be hoping that Marco Silva’s side use that windfall to make a move for Balogun, with a bidding war the best possible solution for Arteta and Co.

Monaco message

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has been advised to pick AS Monaco as his next club with a transfer away from Emirates Stadium appearing highly likely.

Speaking to bettingexpert, the former Arsenal defender said: “I’m not in his shoes, but I would go back to Ligue 1 and choose Monaco. “They need a striker and one like him. He would fit in well there, and he knows Ligue 1.

“It would make sense to go and establish himself at Monaco and continue the good run he had with the 20-odd goals he scored. He should continue his progression with a side that is trying to build a competitive side that can go back to competing for the Champions League places.”

Chelsea join race

Chelsea are the latest side to show interest in a move for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun in the summer transfer window, reports Sky Sports News. The forward has been admired by the Blues, though the club are yet to make an opening bid, with the Gunners valuing him at £50million.

Surprise Tottenham interest

Tottenham are reportedly interested in a shock move for Balogun after losing record goalscorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich last weekend.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Arsenal striker is one of the players that Spurs are considering. Taremi, Gift Orban, Dusan Vlahovic and Jonathan David have all been linked with a move to north London, also.

Mikel Arteta update

Speaking ahead of the clash against Nottingham Forest this weekend, Arteta was coy in his response when asked for an update on Balogun’s future at the club. The Arsenal boss said: “I cannot talk about internal things here, sorry.”

Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz all have the ability to fill the void left by Jesus’ absence. Arteta did provide an update on the Brazilian’s fitness – with Jesus set to return to some form of training next week.

Arteta said: “It’s a bit early still. He’s doing really well since his operation.

“Hopefully he can start to do some activities next week. It’s something that we want to be cautious about and make sure he comes back the right way.”

Inter decision

According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Inter have pulled out of the race to sign Balogun this summer. Instead, the Italian giants are looking at signing either Marko Arnautovic or Mehdi Taremi.

Inter have communicated their decision to Balogun and Arsenal – with Monaco now seemingly having a free run at signing the 22-year-old.

Monaco agreement reached

A report from RMC Sport has claimed that Monaco’s opening bid was worth €40million (£34million) – £16million lower than the Gunners’ reported £50million asking price – but the Ligue 1 side intend to return with an improved offer. The report adds that the French outfit have made signing Balogun their priority and already have agreed personal terms with the Hale End graduate.

Monaco bid rejected

Arsenal have rejected a bid from Monaco for Folarin Balogun, football.london understands.

The pair faced each other in the Emirates Cup last week in a match which Arsenal eventually won on penalties. Balogun was absent from the game with a thigh injury, and it has now emerged that Monaco submitted a formal offer for the American international after the game. This offer has been knocked back.

Inter interest revived

Inter Milan had turned their attention to signing Gianluca Scamacca but the Italian international has decided to join Atalanta instead. As a result, Inter are pivoting their attention back to signing Balogun, as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Writing on Twitter, Romano said: “Inter are prepared to approach Arsenal again for Folarin Balogun. Decision has been made, new round of talks will now follow

“#Inter After Scamacca deal collapsed, Inter will bid again for Balogun who’s fav option of the board.”

Arteta stance

Balogun has an opportunity to feature for Arsenal in the coming weeks if he can find some fitness after Gabriel Jesus was ruled out with injury. When asked what the blow meant for Balogun, Arteta said: “The plans with Flo don’t change at all but unfortunately with Gabby [Gabriel Jesus] we’re not going to have him.

“We have other options to play with different qualities of players and we will adapt.

Balogun demand

Balogun has asked Arsenal to lower their price demand for him as the player sees it as a reason for why no move has emerged so far, the journalist Ben Jacobs has said.

“Inter felt £45m was too high and have now bid for West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca,” he wrote on Twitter. “They haven’t entirely ruled out signing Balogun, though.”

He adds: “Balogun feels Arsenal have added £10m extra to fee and it’s pricing him out the market. #AFC argue their valuation is more than fair given his 22 goals last season at Reims and potential. Some at the club want £50m as a minimum.

“Keep an eye on West Ham. They haven’t moved for Balogun yet but do like the player. Multiple Premier League have enquired.”