Folarin Balogun is ‘set for a Serie A move’ with AC Milan and Inter battling it out for his signature, according to a report.
According to a report from The Independent, Balogun is attracting the attention of both Milanese clubs and he is ‘hugely interested by a move to Serie A’, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta open to selling him in order to raise funds.
Balogun played on loan at Stade de Reims last season where he netted 22 goals in 39 games. Monaco and RB Leipzig have been credited with interest but it is Inter and then Milan who are leading the race.
Inter see him as an alternative target to Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku who will not be returning, while the Rossoneri could sign him to give a concrete alternative to Olivier Giroud and possibly secure his long-term successor.
Arsenal want £70m (€82m) from the sales of players such as Kieran Tierney and Balogun, with their main targets being Mohammed Kudus and Romeo Lavia for the midfield.
I can’t see the spending for this summer going that far. If it is, then it’ll only be because PSG have triggered Leao’s release clause and there’s bigger problems to worry about.
They can’t do it this summer because he signed new contract.
But it could be next summer, and that could be part of the reason why Milan now have very big activity in market.
Leao isn’t leaving for several years at least. He’s a big money maker for this team. And this is just a rumor from a not so credible source.
The whole transfer window smells like preparations for Leao to be cashed in on next year. They just need one of the signings to click to justify the sale and ease the effect of him leaving. If they get Cambiasso or another promising left back, the. Theo might be going too
Rafa’s contract had a very shrewd proviso which states that his 175M release clause can only be activated one calender month a year, July. In 3 days he’ll be locked in atleast till July 2024. Can’t see them negotiating, agreeing, signing and registering a transfer in 72 hours regardless of their monetary flex esp as he’s currently in California USA for preseason. Rest easy fellow fan. He’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
And, it would also depend on him accepting the offer that would follow. Triggering a release clause isn’t a guarantee the player will leave. At this point I think there are only two or three clubs that: 1. Need an LW, 2. can afford Leao, and 3. would attract his interest. One, Madrid, is well covered at LW. Then PSG might be a possibility next season, when Neymar will be 32 and have a year left on his contract. Can’t see any EPL clubs at the moment as most of the possible ones are covered in that position via recent purchases of good players. Maybe United depending on how things develop with their ownership situation and if they qualify for the CL.
Man Utd have Rashford and Garnacho at LW.
Big sales like Leao, or Theo or Maignan (we renewed the contract to Mirante, why???).
Each of those would open another slot for the lists and provide cash to splash. I don’t think we’re considering a price above 40mill for him. Wouldn’t be surprised if Milan tries to sell Kalulu either (let’s say for 30 mill) now that Thiaw is considered the starter, though not sure if that would be wise since it would get our defense very thin. Same discussion can be done for CDK.
It’s also possible, that our management is going to splash money this year to help the team advance more and make big sales next year.
In any case, Balogun is not coming unless someone else that hasn’t been declared yet as out of the squad is not sold or loaned (Kjaer/kalulu or CDK)
Leao’s commecial deals in milan are getting better and better, dont be surprised if they keep growing that he will stay for a bit longer than a year, already he is earning a lot outside his milan salary, and by the end of this season his profile will be even better, and he will get more deals, milan is a fashion capital
Ofcourse it also depends heavilly on sporting achievements
I don’t think we can, and even if we wanted, I think it would be better not to do so. I think Balogun is being severely overpriced for what he’s done so far. And I don’t think financially it would make sense.
Balogun is a talent but the market for him just isn’t what Arsenal have dreamed up for themselves. I think some of these English clubs just assume everyone else is living in the same crazy spending world they are surrounded by.
I do think the situation with the player means they have to find a buyer this summer though, so if teams are willing to be patient and wait for Arsenal to recognize reality I think there’s a deal to be made in that 30-35 million Euro range.
Balogun seems like a Piatek. Must be a reason why Arsenal wants to cash on him rather than keep him. They do only have one good ST, which is injury prone
Exactly.
Do you even read other news aside Milan’s ? It’s been widely said that he doesn’t want to be second fibble to anyone and Arsenal can’t guaranty him starting role, he also said he’s not willing to go out on another Loan so it’s a play me or sell me kinda ultimatum he gave Arsenal.
I did know all that. Still seems like a Piatek. Kid gonna make demands after one somewhat solid season?
If Arsenal really wanted to sell him, they would have named a “normal” price.. Seems to me they just stallin
Why you think that if we pay for Balogun someone of our stars will be sold?