Inter Milan are reportedly set to make an enquiry for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun after ending their interest in Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku.
Inter Milan will now turn their attention to Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun after walking away from a deal for Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku. That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who says the Nerazzurri are set to ask the Gunners to name their asking price and other conditions required to secure the services of the USMNT international striker.
It has been a whirlwind last couple of days in the back-and-forth Romelu Lukaku transfer saga, which reached a stage where Italian giants Inter Milan pulled out of the race to sign him this summer.
The Serie A club have now told Lukaku they are no longer interested in taking him back to San Siro. They are withdrawing their €40 million offer and are furious with the 30-year-old striker, who has been secretly negotiating a potential transfer with Juventus.
Nevertheless, they are now exploring other alternatives in the striker market, and Balogun is an idea that is gaining momentum among the Inter management as they look at options to bolster their striker department. And Fabrizio Romano is now reporting that Inter are set to make their move for Arsenal’s star prospect.
Inter will ask for final conditions of Folarin Balogun deal early next week. Balogun is open to permanent move but Arsenal are expected to request important fee ✨🇺🇸
Balogun, part of Inter list after Lukaku deal off. Mbala Nzola and Benjamin Sesko are not in the list. pic.twitter.com/BJpR7hEMJd
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 16, 2023
Balogun enjoyed a spectacular loan spell at Stade de Reims last term, where he lit up Ligue 1 with a blitz of goals, scoring 21 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 club and 22 across all competitions. And the 22-year-old told Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to either play him or sell him permanently when asked about his future while on international duty with the USMNT.
“I’m not sure [about] the discussions that are going to take place. Balogun said. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen. But I’m just committed to now; I try to stay present. I obviously want to enjoy the moment with my team and my family. What I can say is that I definitely won’t go on loan again.”
With Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Eddie Nketiah as centre-forward options for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, Balogun may struggle to get regular minutes for the Gunners next season. But some may argue that the USMNT star should actually be ahead of Nketiah in the pecking order.
Arsenal are demanding a sizeable fee if they do offload Balogun, with some reports claiming the price tag is hefty. Arteta has stated during the pre-season camp that Balogun will remain an Arsenal player for the time being.
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But if Inter arrive at the negotiating table with a tempting bid, the Gunners could sell the academy product to offset some of their heavy spending in this summer transfer window. Balogun himself wants first-team football this season, and a move to Inter would be a big one for him in terms of enormous expectations. And if Arsenal recoup a sizable fee, a deal makes sense for everyone involved.