Manchester United have studied the potential of a transfer from Premier League rivals Arsenal for Folarin Balogun this summer as Erik ten Hag eyes strikers at Old Trafford.
That is according to the Independent (28/7), with Miguel Delaney reporting in his newsletter that Manchester United investigated signing Balogun. The Red Devils have undertaken some due diligence on a deal after the Arsenal 22-year-old impressed on loan to Stade de Reims.
A raid on Emirates Stadium is unlikely anytime soon, however. Manchester United accepted that Arsenal are unlikely to grant any transfer to Old Trafford for Balogun. So, the Red Devils have put plans into motion to target the transfer of Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta BC, instead.
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Balogun is unlikely to land a transfer to Manchester United
Manchester United have also identified Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani as a striker worth signing. But the focus at Old Trafford is on handing Hojlund to Ten Hag before the new Premier League season starts. One which may kick off with Balogun not at Arsenal.
While a move to Manchester United is extremely unlikely, Arsenal might yet grant a transfer for Balogun to Inter Milan. San Siro is the most likely destination for the USA forward should he move away from north London. The two-cap talent is opposed to a season on the bench.
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Balogun has returned to Arsenal this summer after scoring 21 goals in 37 Ligue 1 fixtures on loan with Reims. The New York native also now only has two years remaining on his contract in north London. So, the Gunners are open to cashing in if a team matches their asking price.
Reports by CalcioMercatoWeb suggest Inter Milan will soon match Arsenal’s valuation to get Balogun’s transfer sorted. Nerazzurri chiefs accept that they will struggle to get the Gunners to lower their €50-60m (£43-51m) price tag. The Serie A side also know Balogun’s request.
Balogun, who Reims coach Will Still described as ‘super complete’, has demanded a €6m-a-year gross (£99k-a-week) salary to join Inter Milan. It is considerably more than the £32k-a-week he currently earns at Arsenal. The Gunners last increased Balogun’s wage in July 2022.