Arsenal’s 22-year-old American international Folarin Balogun is ready to join Ligue 1 club AS Monaco in the ongoing transfer window.
According to L’Equipe via Sport Witness, AS Monaco are keen on having Folarin Balogun in their ranks, and even the payer is eager to join the French club. The 22-year-old is not a part of Mikel Arteta’s plans at Arsenal and is looking for a move elsewhere. And the Gunners want around €50 million to part ways with him.
Balogun has been at Arsenal since his childhood days. He has come up the ranks at the club and was promoted to their first team last summer. Just after being promoted to the senior team, he was sent out on a season-long loan to Stade Reims to gain first-team experience.
While on loan at the French club, the 22-year-old featured in a total of 39 matches and was on the pitch for close to 3,200 minutes. The American international was on fire as he found the back of the net on 22 occasions and even assisted his teammates thrice.
After a blockbuster season on loan, everyone expected Balogun to make a case for a place in the Arsenal first team. But, Mikel Arteta has other plans, the Spanish boss does not consider him to be a part of his first team going forward.
The 22-year-old was not a part of either of the squads that squared up in their first two Premier League matches. With the youngster unlikely to get much game time at Arsenal, he is looking for a move elsewhere. While there is a lot of interest in the American international, a move has not taken place so far because of the asking price set by the Gunners.
Arsenal are looking for something around €50 million to sell Balogun, who still has two years left on his deal at the club. Meanwhile, AS Monaco are very serious about their pursuit of the American international.
The French club are desperately looking for a new number nine and believe the Arsenal academy graduate could be a great fit for the club. Even the player is ready to join the Ligue 1 giants as he looks for greener pastures elsewhere.
According to the report, Monaco have already submitted a bid close to €40 million for the USA international. But, it was rejected by Mikel Arteta’s men. Despite the rejection, the talks are progressing nicely off late and the two clubs could reach a common ground soon. If Monaco and Arsenal manage to strike a deal for his services, a transfer will become imminent.
