Arsenal Transfers: Another club pulls out of Folarin Balogun race

Inter look like they’ll be the next club to pull out of the race for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun this summer. 

The Gunners are ready to sell their young asset off the back of his excellent loan spell with Reims in Ligue 1, but the club are said to value the 22-year-old at close to £50m.

Several overseas clubs have been linked with a move for Balogun, including Marseille and RB Leipzig, but none have come close to striking a deal with Arsenal. However, with the Gunners unlikely to enter the season with three striker options (not including Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard) at their disposal, it remains to be seen how this situation will resolve itself.

Could they sell Eddie Nketiah instead?

Another club pulls out of Folarin Balogun race

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1686137693497933824

Right now, it appears as if selling Eddie might be the easier solution with clubs unwilling to match Arsenal’s valuation for Balogun.

Fabrizio Romano reported on Monday that Inter, who’d registered an interest in the 22-year-old, deem Balogun too expensive and the Nerazzurri will instead target a move for West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca.

Milan have also been linked with a move for the Arsenal forward, but a bid is yet to be made.

Many expected Balogun’s situation to have been resolved by now, but we’re not any closer to a resolution than we were at the start of the summer. This is the right time for Arsenal to cash in, but he could remain on the club’s books if a buyer emerges for Nketiah, who’s endured a difficult pre-season so far.

Balogun, meanwhile, has barely featured for the Gunners this summer suggesting that he isn’t at the forefront of Mikel Arteta’s plans. Although, he did miss the 5-3 win over Barcelona in LA due to injury.

With the start of the Premier League season less than two weeks away, it’ll be interesting to see whether Balogun plays a role in the Emirates Cup and Community Shield encounters beforehand. Given his talent and potential, the Gunners might as well use him while he is on their books. Many would argue he’s superior to Nketiah and should stay at the club anyway.