Aston Villa, Barcelona, and Tottenham Hotspur are keen on signing 25-year-old USMNT international Folarin Balogun from Ligue 1 club AS Monaco this summer.
According to a report by L’Equipe via Sport Witness, Aston Villa, Barcelona, and Tottenham Hotspur have “made approaches” to sign Folarin Balogun from AS Monaco in the final days of the ongoing transfer window. The Ligue 1 giants are anticipating the 25-year-old striker’s exit, and they have already signed Matthis Abline to be his successor.
How has Folarin Balogun fared since leaving Arsenal?
Folarin Balogun has been among the most impressive young strikers in Ligue 1 since joining AS Monaco from Arsenal in August 2023. His move to Monaco ended a 15-year tenure at Arsenal, and he has thrived since, delivering his most productive season in 2025/26. The player has enjoyed the most productive season of his career in the past year.
Balogun contributed 19 goals and five assists in 43 appearances across all competitions in the 2025/26 season before enjoying an exceptional campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring three goals and providing one assist in four outings. Those exploits have piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs, with Aston Villa, Barcelona, and Tottenham among the prospective suitors interested in the USMNT international.
A man in demand
Aston Villa will pursue a striker in the final days of the summer transfer window, as Ollie Watkins is pushing for a departure amid his links with Al-Hilal. Several strikers have thus emerged on the West Midlands club’s wishlist, as Tammy Abraham is the only other striker in Unai Emery’s squad. Balogun is also a viable target, with his previous experience of English football adding to his appeal.
Tottenham’s interest in Folarin Balogun is understandable. Spurs need a new centre-forward, as Richarlison faces an uncertain future at the club, while Dominic Solanke has struggled with persistent fitness issues since arriving from Bournemouth two years ago. Balogun is thus an option worth considering.
As for Barcelona, the reigning La Liga champions have yet to replace Robert Lewandowski, with versatile options like Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon currently leading the line for Hansi Flick’s team. The Catalan giants remain in the market for a striker and have pursued Julian Alvarez as their top target. However, with Atletico Madrid reluctant to sell to Barcelona, they must identify alternatives.
With AS Monaco open to Balogun’s departure, the enquiries by Aston Villa, Barcelona, and Tottenham should translate to negotiations for a deal. However, the report makes no mention of the Ligue 1 club’s price tag, and unless talks progress quickly, a move may not materialise.
