Inter Milan have confirmed their interest in Folarin Balogun as Premier League giants Arsenal mull over what to do with the former Reims loanee.
One of the biggest issues facing Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side last season was a lack of ruthlessness in the final third; neither Gabriel Jesus nor Eddie Nketiah really proving themselves to be ‘reliable’ goalscorers.
Add Kai Havertz into the mix – the former Chelsea man missed two excellent chances in Sunday’s Community Shield – and it’s tempting to wonder whether anything is likely to change in 2023/24.
As such, you’d be forgiven for wondering whether the potential sale of Folarin Balogun is really a good idea after all. The USA international scored 22 goals on loan at mid-table Reims in the French top-flight last season, displaying the kind of predatory instincts Havertz and Jesus can only dream of.
As things stand, however, a late-summer sale still feels more likely than not; Serie A giants Inter Milan going public with their interest.
Arsenal could sell Folarin Balogun to Inter Milan
“We’re looking for someone who can score goals,” Inter’s sporting director Piero Ausilio tells Sport Mediaset. “Balogun? He is one of the opportunities, but we don’t only follow him.”
Balogun, who represented England at youth level, will likely replace Romelu Lukaku at San Siro. Last season’s Champions League runners-up do not have the finances to turn Lukaku’s loan spell from Chelsea into a permanent transfer.
According to ESPN, meanwhile, Arsenal turned down a bid from Monaco recently. Balogun is valued at £50 million. Sell him for that price, and the Gunners will make a colossal return on a player who joined their academy at the age of just eight.
“I think they will sell Balogun,” former Arsenal forward Perry Groves tells talkSPORT. “Asking for £50 million, I think it’s a little on the steep side. He scored 22 goals in Ligue 1. But how good is that league to judge a centre-forward or someone who scores goals?
“Nicolas Pepe came from Lille, and he had scored 22 in his last season before he came to Arsenal. It’s very difficult to judge.
“I think £25-30 million is the right price for Balogun.”
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