Arsenal are insistent that the Emirates Stadium club will reject all ‘low-ball’ offers for Folarin Balogun despite Inter Milan walking away from targeting his summer transfer.
That is according to Paul Brown, who notes that Arsenal likely know that Balogun is unhappy at the club. The 23-year-old returned to north London this summer after spending last term out on loan. But he is still unlikely to gain a prominent place in manager Mikel Arteta’s plans.
Balogun impressed whilst in Ligue 1 after offering Stade de Reims 21 goals over 37 games in the 2022/23 campaign. He also laid on three assists, while grabbing another goal across two Coupe de France ties. The Arsenal academy product has two goals in 10 games for Arteta.
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Inter Milan have walked away from Folarin Balogun’s transfer
Proving to be a prolific prospect in France has earned Balogun interest from Inter Milan in a transfer from Arsenal. But Fabrizio Romano noted at the end of July that the Nerazzurri had stopped all negotiations for the USA international. They feel the striker is just too expensive.
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Inter Milan could revisit their interest in Balogun later in the summer should Arsenal accept a lower sum for his transfer. For now, though, the San Siro side are focusing on trying to lure Gianluca Scamacca back to Serie A, despite West Ham United having rejected their first bid.
Arsenal value Balogun at £45-50m but Inter Milan were only considering his transfer if they accepted £35m, per Ryan Taylor. No club has yet shown a willingness to meet the Gunners’ demands. While Ben Jacobs notes that Balogun has asked Arsenal to slash their price tag.
Balogun refuses to spend the 2023/24 season on the bench and has told Arsenal that he will not go back out on loan, either. While the Gunners cannot afford to let the striker spend the year on the bench. The two-cap ace is under contract at Emirates Stadium until June 2025.
What has Paul Brown said about Folarin Balogun’s situation?
Brown believes Arsenal likely know that Balogun is unhappy at the club given his desire for a prominent role. The journalist also notes that the Gunners believe in his potential greatly, so will not accept a cut-price deal. Arsenal simply will not stand being low-balled to let him go.
“I think Arsenal do know that Balogun is not happy,” Brown reports. “He wants to play and might not get the minutes he wants this season. But I just genuinely think they rate him so highly, they’re not willing to let him go for a fee that doesn’t suit them.
“Quite frankly, there are a lot of clubs who are trying to low-ball them on Balogun and they won’t have it. That’s entirely up to Arsenal to respond like that.”
Balogun may now have a chance to show Arsenal his worth or to convince Inter Milan to pay up for a transfer. Arteta has confirmed that Gabriel Jesus will miss the Community Shield on Sunday. The Brazilian underwent surgery on Wednesday after feeling discomfort in his knee.
But Balogun is also recovering from the foot injury that sidelined him in Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the USA. Their trip across the pond could have already sealed him a transfer or a role otherwise. If the American remains unfit, Arteta only has Eddie Nketiah or Leandro Trossard.