Arsenal starlet Folarin Balogun has asked the club to lower his price tag after being priced out of a move to Inter.
That’s according to Ben Jacobs, who has revealed that Balogun is frustrated that Arsenal have seemingly added £10m to his market value, and with Inter now exploring a deal for West Ham’ Gianluca Scamacca, his chances of a move to the San Siro have decreased.
Arsenal are set to hold firm in their £45m valuation, with some at the club even keen on £50m as a starting price for the 22-year-old, who is refusing to entertain another loan deal.
Balogun scored 22 goals on loan at Reims last season, and multiple Premier League clubs have enquired about the USA International.
Why Pele Is Overrated.
What should Arsenal do with Balogun?
Given Balogun’s desire to be the first-choice centre-forward and Arsenal’s strong depth in attack, a move is the most logical outcome.
MORE ARSENAL STORIES
Mikel Arteta has Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard available to him ahead of Balogun, and first-team opportunities would be limited for the academy product.
Balogun has two years left on his contract, and given the success of his loan, as well as his increased profile as a new USMNT star, his value may never be higher than it is right now at Arsenal, and the club are right to take a firm stance given how many clubs are interested.
With the likes of Crystal Palace and West Ham potentially in the market for a striker, Arsenal may be able to sell Balogun for a huge fee within the league, and ideally they will insert a sell-on clause, or even a buyback option into any deal.
This feels like a deal which could drag on until the end of the window, but Arteta will hope to have any uncertainty within his squad resolved before Arsenal’s Premier League campaign kicks off against Nottingham Forest on August 12th.