Chelsea are expected to bid for Arsenal’s talented striker Folarin Balogun with the USA international attracting interest from top clubs around Europe. As reported by Sky Sports presenter Dharmesh Sheth, Chelsea’s interest in the attacker is real although no formal bid has yet been received by the Gunners.
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Chelsea Hold a Real Interest in Arsenal Striker Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun Open to Permanent Move
According to Fabrizio Romano, the 22-year-old striker is open to a permanent move away from the Emirates, with a move to the continent always looking his most likely next step. However, the American now finds himself on Chelsea’s radar, with the West London club looking to add another young striker. Chelsea have already brought in Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku.
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After shoring up their midfield with the additions of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, Chelsea look set to bolster attacking options with Balogun, who proved on his loan spell at Reims last season that he has an eye for goal.
Fierce Competition
Chelsea are not the only club that see real potential in Balogun, whose contract expires in two seasons’ time. As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have been busy this summer fending off interest for the striker from European clubs. AS Monaco have had an initial offer rebuffed from the Gunners, while Inter Milan see the striker as a “priority target.”
However, no club thus far has met Arsenal’s £50 million valuation of the striker, according to Sky Sports. Although neither Inter Milan or AS Monaco have the financial pulling power of Chelsea, both clubs would be attractive propositions for Balogun. Inter Milan have no natural partner for star striker Lautaro Martinez with Romelu Lukaku no longer in the frame – and AS Monaco would give Balogun an opportunity to return to a league where he was successful last season.
Value for Money?
There is no doubt that paying £50 million for a striker who has only managed two Premier League appearances in which he failed to score on both occasions is a gamble for any potential buyer. But Balogun consistently showed his class and ruthless eye for goal last season in Ligue 1, where he scored 21 goals in 37 appearances for an 11th-place Reims side.
Mikel Arteta described the ambitious 22-year-old as “incredible.” A potential move for the Arsenal striker to London rivals Chelsea would surely get Arsenal fans extremely worried about his potential.
Image Credit: Ank Kumar, CC BY-SA 4.0
