Arsenal get £50m Folarin Balogun transfer wish as Monaco enter fray

Arsenal have been handed a boost over Folarin Balogun’s uncertain future after Monaco made their interest clear in the striker. The USA international looks set to move on permanently this summer with game time at the Emirates looking rather bleak. With Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard, who can play as a false nine, above him in the pecking order, Balogun appears likely to move on as he wants to be playing regular football again after a brilliant loan spell at Stade de Reims. And interest in the striker is ramping up as European teams eye a deal for one of the brightest prospects in football right now. AC Milan, Marseille, Monaco, RB Leipzig are among the sides to have expressed an interest in him in the past, and in more recent times Inter Milan have made their intentions clear. However, they have so far baulked at Arsenal’s £50million price tag with the Gunners looking to maximise their fee for the star following his breakthrough on loan with France. It has created uncertainty surrounding his future as Mikel Arteta and co are willing to be patient regarding his next move. Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun could exit the club this summer (Image: Getty) And now Monaco have expressed interest in the 22-year-old, with the Ligue 1 outfit having in fact tabled an offer. After last week’s Emirates Cup contest, Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro made a verbal proposal to Edu but it was switfly turned down by the Arsenal chief. Monaco weren’t done there though and soon after came back to the table with a formal written offer. However, that was again quickly turned down as it fell way short of Arsenal’s valuation. And amidts all the recent news, it will come as a boost to the Arteta and the Arsenal hierarchy with further interest building up before the end of the transfer window. Simply put, the more clubs that come forward and bid for Balogun, the more chance a bidding war will ensue which will just ramp up the price. MIkel Arteta and Arsenal are holding out for £50m for Folarin Balogun (Image: Getty) Arsenal are desperate to raise as much money as possible with a view to a potential late burst at the end of the transfer window following a £200m plus outlay on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.  It has been a statement summer for the Gunners as they look to battle with Manchester City once again for the Premier League title, and they would love to end it with a hefty sale of their academy product.