Charles Watts says it will be a ‘surprise’ if Folarin Balogun isn’t sold by Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal this summer and how he would be ‘interested’ in a transfer to AC Milan.
Two of Italy’s biggest clubs – AC Milan and Inter – have expressed transfer interest in Arsenal’s Hale-End striker.
The 22-year-old spent a season on-loan at Stade de Reims last season and scored 21 goals for the French club, added to switching allegiances from England to the USA, so he is getting a taste of what it’s like on the big stage.
Therefore, it isn’t a surprise that Folarin Balogun wants more of that action, but with Arsenal looking to cash-in, journalist and Arsenal transfer expert Watts added that ‘it will annoy fans’ if he leaves, as he told his own YouTube channel.
Balogun has had injury issues during his side’s pre-season tour of the USA, so he hasn’t been able to showcase his worth, which hasn’t helped anyone’s cause.
But Watts thinks, regardless of what happens now, Balogun is out of the door, with Inter and AC Milan chasing.
“We are hearing now from Italy that AC Milan are in the running,” said Watts. “Milan had an interest in Balogun for a while, but it seemed to have gone quiet and maybe they moved on and have been looking elsewhere.
“But, according to these reports, they are in the running as well. For Arsenal, if they are going to sell Balogun, and I still feel like they are going to and I know that’s going to annoy people. I would be surprised if he is still at Arsenal at the end of the window.
“If they are going to sell, then they will want as many clubs as possible banging on the door and putting offers in, then you can create your own little bidding war and drive the price up.
“This is something Arsenal would welcome. The player himself, two massively appealing projects (AC Milan and Inter) should he move on. Being the main man at Milan or Inter and playing at the San Siro. For a young player like Balogun, it would be a huge thing. I am sure it’s something he would be interested in if Arsenal decide to let him go.”
Balogun as a back-up at Arsenal
With Gabriel Jesus leading the line and Kai Havertz coming in for big money, then it puts Balogun on the backfoot in terms of regular starts for the club.
From Arsenal’s perspective, it’s great to have a player of his ilk coming on from the bench, or if there is an injury.
But it’s a credit to the American that he isn’t willing to wait around and disrupt his progression, so he should be praised for not taking the easy option of sitting on the bench and just taking the dough.
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