Fulham are considering a move for £50 million-rated Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun as a replacement for Aleksandar Mitrovic.
According to a report by Mail Sport, Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun could become a target for Fulham in their efforts to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic. The Serb is closing in on leaving the Cottagers and joining Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. So Marco Silva could target the £50 million-rated prospect from the North London club as a viable option.
The Folarin Balogun chase has another entrant in the mix, with Fulham now vying for the £50 million-rated prospect from Arsenal. Mikel Arteta has given enough indications to suggest the USMNT international does not feature in his plans for the season and that the club are open to offers at their price.
Inter Milan were close at one stage but bowed out, citing the £50 million price tag of the striker. There have been rumblings about Chelsea and even Tottenham’s reported interest in the youngster, but nothing concrete has come up.
AS Monaco came the closest and lodged a reasonable bid for the striker. With Arsenal rejecting their offer, the French giants could return with another proposal closer to the £50 million asking price. West Ham United are also interested on the sidelines and could make a move for the forward before the window closes.
Meanwhile, Fulham are considering a move for the 22-year-old forward. Aleksandar Mitrovic has pushed to leave the club all summer ever since the interest from the Saudi Pro League became apparent. As per Fabrizio Romano, a deal with Al-Hilal could materialise in the coming days as the striker’s days at Craven Cottage are numbered.
Arsenal are open to letting him join Fulham or any other club if the bid matches their expectations. Their £50 million price tag has its justifications, but Marco Silva might look to pay less, despite the money they could receive from Al-Hilal.
As per various yet unconfirmed reports, Fulham might net £46 million from Al-Hilal, which could push Arsenal to ask closer to £50 million for Balogun. Things could accelerate if the Cottagers negotiate with the Gunners over a proposed move.
Right from the start, negotiations for Balogun with Arsenal have looked difficult for many clubs interested in the USMNT striker. Fulham could try their way of talking to the Gunners and finding an agreement in the coming days.
Balogun would represent a solid purchase for Silva and Fulham, considering he has a long future ahead. Whether they pay close to Arsenal’s asking price remains the question, but they must replace Mitrovic with another top-class centre-forward, for the Serb’s loss could result in a lack of goals in the current season.
Not sure if fulham can afford him. Arsenal would be looking for £60 million after you add the addons, due to his age and potential. Unless the can offer a swap deal involving Joao Palhinha.