£50m Arsenal star makes Chelsea transfer decision after ‘bid’ from Premier League rivals is ‘rejected’
According to reports, Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun would be willing to sign for Chelsea and Mikel Arteta’s side are ‘aware’ of the interest in him.
Balogun impressed while on loan at Ligue Un outfit Reims last season as he scored 21 goals in his 37 appearances.
His form for the French side has caught the attention of clubs around Europe and he does not figure into Mikel Arteta’s plans as Arsenal’s head coach prefers Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.
The USA international has been linked with Inter Milan and AS Monaco but he is also being monitored by Fulham as they attempt to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic.
But The Evening Standard are reporting that ‘Chelsea have sounded out Balogun in a bid to boost their attack before deadline day’.
The 22-year-old ‘is being considered by Chelsea’ and he is ‘open’ to securing a move to Stamford Bridge. The report adds.
‘Arsenal are aware of Chelsea’s interest and want around £50million for their striker, who is out of contract in June 2025.
‘Monaco have already had a £34million bid rejected for Balogun, while Fulham consider him among a shortlist of targets to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic, who joined Al-Hilal over the weekend.
‘Chelsea are weighing up different types of forwards to improve Mauricio Pochettino’s attack after missing out on Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, who signed a new four-year contract last week.
‘Pacy Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson, Ajax attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus and Lyon winger Bradley Barcola are also being considered.
‘Pochettino is cautious in his search as he seeks to keep balance in his squad, insisting he still has faith in current strikers Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja.’
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano meanwhile is reporting that Balogun is “appreciated by a number of clubs” but he is “not aware of direct contacts between Chelsea and Arsenal”.
“Folarin Balogun could leave, though, and I think he has now been linked with all the top European clubs,” Romano told Caught Offside.
“Some fans have asked me about the stories involving Chelsea and Tottenham, but the reality is that, yes, he’s really appreciated by a number of clubs, but the strongest interest until now has been from AS Monaco, and they remain interested – I expect a new bid for Balogun soon.
“Let’s see if English clubs will try too, but at the moment it’s just about being informed rather than any concrete negotiations.
“With Chelsea, the links come because Balogun shares an agent with Romeo Lavia, but I’m not aware of direct contacts between Chelsea and Arsenal, no bids, it’s just normal contacts between agents, not a proper negotiation.”
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