Arsenal handed dream $64m Folarin Balogun transfer scenario as double update emerges

Arsenal finally have their ideal scenario with Folarin Balogun as the summer window enters its final three weeks. Having so far held off from selling their young striker, the offers are now starting to come.

The Gunners set their stall out early on, making it clear that the 22-year-old was available to other clubs. However, the £50million ($64m) valuation has so far halted any progress being made.

RB Leipzig backed out of talks due to the price demand and instead went with a cheaper option in Lois Openda, while Inter put forward their interest last month. The loan offer with an obligation to buy of around £35million ($44m) was also rejected by the Gunners as they hold out.

Now, the latest offer on the table is a surprise one from Monaco. After facing Arsenal in the Emirates Cup last week, sporting director Thiago Scuro spoke with Edu Gaspar over a potential move but the verbal offer that was submitted has also been knocked back.

With Balogun out of Arteta’s plans, as shown by his absence from the 20-man squad for the Community Shield, a transfer is certainly still on the cards and Arsenal may now be thinking that they got their plans right all along.

Despite interest coming and going in Balogun, they now have two keen parties that have made offers. That sets the situation up perfectly for an end of window bidding war and therefore a chance for the price to continue to rise.

Having excelled in Ligue 1 last year, Monaco’s interest is clear. Balogun scored 21 times for an exciting Stade de Reims side managed by Will Still and with aims of pushing on into the European places themselves next season, they are looking to acquire one of the hottest properties on the market.

Monaco still managed 70 goals in the league last year, the second most in the division behind only Paris Saint-Germain and wish to add the firepower and form of Balogun to their group.

Inter, meanwhile, are working with two less strikers than the team that got them to the Champions League final. Romelu Lukaku has burned his bridges at San Siro and Edin Dzeko departed over the summer. Balogun is one of their main priorities, especially after West Ham sold Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta.

As the days count down until not only the start of the season but also the end of the summer window, Arsenal will be hoping to field bids from multiple sources, generating a price they are happy with for Balogun.

from Football Audit
via i9bet