The striker could be on the move back to France before the transfer window closes.
Arsenal striker and USMNT international Folarin Balogun is set to be the subject of a second bid from AS Monaco as his summer-long transfer saga continues to bubble. The 22-year-old has been on the rumour mill for the past few weeks after significant interest from some big European clubs.
Italian giants Inter Milan and the Gunners’ North London rivals Tottenham have been quoted as having intrigue into bringing the youngster on board but have been consistently outmanoeuvred for him by the Ligue 1 side.
Last week, their £36m ($43m) offer was rєjєƈτed by the Gunners, which if acceptedwould’ve seen Balogun become the seventh player to leave the club in the summer transfer window, according to CBS Sports.
Monaco believe that Balogun can continue the dominance he showed in France last season when he spent a year on loan at Stade de Reims. In that time, he netted 21 goals in 37 league appearances but hasn’t seen his abilities sєɴԀ him up Mikel Arteta’s pecking order.
Still stuck behind Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal, Balogun’s desire for consistent minutes has meant the likelihood of a move away from the Emirates Stadium is high – but only if Adi Hutter’s men can fork up the cash.
Arteta now has a group of 32 players and will be looking to trimming his first team squad, with the 22-year-old a likely option alongsideleft-back Nuno Tavares who is set for a move to fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forestto get his own starts under Steve Cooper.
Whether Arsenal hold out on their £50m ($64m) valuation of the star or not will be of interest as the improved bid by Monaco looms closer. The Gunners lost Jurrien Timber to a serious knee ιɴjυɾу after just 47 minutes of action and could look to get a quick replacement in with the funds raised by Balogun’s exit.
The USMNT star wasn’t included in their squad against Forest last weekєɴԀ and is unlikely to feature again on Monday night as they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
