West Ham United have emerged as the latest contenders to secure the services of Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
According to the Daily Mail (print edition, 24/08/2023, page 71), West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea make up the trio of Premier League clubs chasing a deal for Folarin Balogun. However, Arsenal will add a premium onto the price tag for the player before allowing him to join a rival team in their own division.
AC Milan and Inter Milan have also expressed an interest in the player, but as things stand, Monaco appear to be leading the race for Balogun, with the Gunners demanding a fee of £50 million for the 22-year-old.
The forward is considered surplus to requirements at Arsenal. Mikel Arteta has made it clear that Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, and Kai Havertz are all ahead of Balogun in the pecking order. Despite being considered a “special” talent by Arteta, the Spanish coach is willing to cash in.
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Recognising that he is out of the first team picture at the Emirates Stadium, Balogun is desperate to move on whilst his stock is so high. The £32,000-a-week striker proved his quality whilst on loan with Reims last season, scoring 22 goals for the Ligue 1 outfit. He wants to continue being a regular starter this season, making a move necessary.
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Arsenal must make call on Balogun
He would stand a great chance of establishing himself as the first choice striker for West Ham. Although Michail Antonio possesses plenty of qualities that David Moyes values, Balogun is a far more clinical finisher.
From an Arsenal perspective, though, moving the USA international on to a foreign club, where he wouldn’t be able to damage their Premier League title aspirations by scoring against them, is certainly preferable.
With time running out before the transfer window closes, though, a final decision on Balogun’s destination must be made soon.