AC Milan will revive their interest in signing Folarin Balogun of Arsenal. But the Serie A side must rival Marseille and Villarreal following the striker’s loan transfer with Stade de Reims.
That is according to the Daily Mail, which reports Balogun is earning interest from around Europe following his Reims triumphs. The 21-year-old is the top scorer in Ligue 1 so far this season with 14 goals in 21 games. He accounts for 54% of Les Rouges et Blancs’ total 26.
AC Milan have previously held an interest in Balogun. But his form in France has convinced San Siro chiefs to try again. Yet the Rossoneri would now need to beat out rival admirers at Marseille and Villarreal for the striker. Both clubs are scouting him with a view to transfers.
Arsenal are still yet to decide how to handle Balogun’s future once the striker returns from his loan to Reims. He is only under contract in north London through to June 2025 and has flourished with regular fixtures. Yet he may still be behind Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.
So, Gunners chiefs acknowledge that this summer may be the club’s best window in which to sell the forward. Balogun would demand a hefty fee following a remarkable campaign at a mid-table Ligue 1 team. Yet Arsenal will not decide their stance until he returns this summer.
Arsenal have already set AC Milan a high price tag for Folarin Balogun’s transfer
Balogun has stunned Arsenal with his progress on loan to Reims, who sought a permanent transfer in January, per The Sun. But with Nketiah showing he can be a more than capable understudy for Jesus, the prospect of selling Balogun in the summer grows at the Emirates.
The Daily Mail has already noted that Arsenal will hold talks with Balogun about his future come the summer. While Pianeta Milan has also cited AC Milan and Inter Milan as possible suitors. But it adds the Gunners would like €40m (£35m) and could yet increase their price.
Interest at Marseille and Villarreal, as well as AC Milan and Inter, can certainly give Arsenal a reason to hike up their asking price for Balogun’s transfer. While Reims boss Will Still has been full of praise for the performances that the Hale End product is having whilst on loan.
“He is brilliant,” Reims boss Still told talkSPORT. “He is absolutely brilliant and I am just not talking about the player. I am talking about the human being behind, as well. He has totally adapted to the environment he has come into.”
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