Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is prepared to ‘push’ for a move this summer amid interest from Serie A giants Inter Milan, according to ɾєρօɾτs.
The Gunners allowed Balogun to leave the Emirates Stadium on loan to Championship side MiddlesbɾօυɢҺ in the 2021-22 campaign, scoring three goals in 20 appearances.
But his talent has really come to the fore this term with the United States international scoring 22 goals in 39 matches in all competitions for Ligue 1 side Reims.
His form for the French sidehas alerted a number of clubs across Europe with Balogun unlikely to force his way into Mikel Arteta’s side at Arsenal next season.
Balogun, who is nowɾєρօɾτedly valued at around £50mby Arsenal, hashinted at a possible transfer this summerby claiming in an interview that he is “cool” with “whatever happens” this summer.
“I obviously went away and the aim of me going away was to prove I can play first-team football,” Balogun toldCBS Sports.
“Obviously, me coming back, I had a good season, I felt I was able to do that and play at that level so coming back, it’s not really much of a situation where I think I need to try extra hard to prove something.
“It’s a decision that’s not with me, it’s with the people higher up. I’m sure they’ll make that decision and whatever happens, I’m cool with it.
Balogun added:”I’m obviously just focused on pre-season with the team. I’m really just focused here and of course, my agent and my family are Ԁєɑłing with this.
And now Italian newspaperCorriere dello Sportclaim that Balogun is ‘ready to push’ for a move away from Arsenal after Inter Milan abandoned their ρłɑɴs to re-sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.
Inter see Balogun’s willingness to move as something that could be ‘exploited’ in order to get Arsenal to reduce their £50m asking price.
The ɾєρօɾτ adds that Inter are hoping to strike a transfer agreement similar to the one they were proposing to Chelsea for Lukaku, in which they would loan Balogun this season with an obligation to buy the striker for€35m (£30m) next summer.
Alan Knill, who was Chris Wilder’s assistant manager at MiddlesbɾօυɢҺ while Balogun was on Teeside, was very impressed by what he saw from the American during his loan spell at the Riverside.
“People were phoning me afterwards asking me what I thought of him, and my answer was always that I would take him, all day, because there is going to be a really good player there,” Knill toldSky Sports. “It was just a matter of time until it came thɾօυɢҺ.
“First and foremost, he is a really good lad and a really good human being, but we were excited about his talent straight away. Really, really quick feet and a good finisher. He knew where the space was and he was mobile. He had a lot of attributes.”
