French side AS Monaco are reportedly considering making another offer for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
That’s according to TuttoMercatoWeb, who have claimed that an injury to their forward Breel Embolo has created an urgent need for a new attacker, and their interest in Balogun remains strong.
Arsenal previously rejected a bid from Monaco for the 22-year-old as it was way off their valuation of around £50m, but it is now being claimed that they could return with a much higher offer as they aim to bring him in.
Balogun looks set to leave following his excellent loan spell at Reims last season, with the striker keen on a starting spot but Mikel Arteta unable to guarantee him game time, and he was not in the matchday squad for both the Community Shield and Arsenal’s opening day victory against Nottingham Forest.
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An inevitable departure?
Things now appear to be progressing for his departure after weeks of uncertainty. Given Monaco’s desperation to sign him, it feels like a matter of time before the two clubs eventually agree on a fee for the forward.
Despite his incredible form on loan last season, Balogun was always going to struggle to gain regular first-team opportunities, with Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz ahead of him in the pecking order upfront.
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In an ideal world, Arsenal may have wished to loan him out again, perhaps even within the Premier League, but Balogun was keen on a permanent exit given the lack of opportunities he’d have at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have struggled to sell their assets for good fees for years, and if the deal goes through, he would likely become the club’s record sale, ahead of Alex Iwobi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Given that he came through the academy, in financial fair play terms, a major sale of Balogun would be pure profit, and now is the perfect opportunity for Arsenal to cash in on the attacker.