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Inter Milan 'leading the race for Arsenal's Folarin Balogun'

Inter Milan 'leading the race for Arsenal's Folarin Balogun'
© Reuters
Inter Milan are at the head of the queue to sign Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun this summer, according to a report.

Inter Milan are reportedly at the head of the queue to sign Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun during this summer's transfer window.

The 22-year-old's future is currently the subject of much speculation, with a number of clubs said to be competing to sign him from the Gunners in the current market.

Monaco and RB Leipzig are among the teams to be linked with his services, but according to The Independent, the strongest interest is arriving from Italy in the shape of AC Milan and Inter.

The report claims that Inter are currently the favourites for a player who is keen to make the move to Serie A before the transfer window closes for business.

Inter had been in discussions with Chelsea over a return for Romelu Lukaku but have since pulled the plug on a potential deal, having allegedly been angered by the striker's discussions with Juventus.

Folarin Balogun warms up for Arsenal in December 2021© Reuters

Balogun is currently with the Arsenal squad in the United States, and he is admired by Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta, but it is understood that the United States international will be allowed to leave to raise money to reinvest in the squad.

The forward came through the youth system at Arsenal, but he has only represented their first team on 10 occasions, scoring twice and providing one assist.

Balogun found it difficult to show his best form during a loan spell at Middlesbrough in 2021-22, only finding the back of the net on three occasions in 20 appearances.

However, the American starred on loan at Reims last term, scoring 22 times in all competitions, including 21 in Ligue 1, which has led to a host of speculation surrounding his future.

Folarin Balogun in action for Arsenal in August 2021© Reuters

Arsenal boss Arteta recently said that the size of the first-team squad at the club was "unsustainable".

The Spaniard was also asked about Balogun following Wednesday's 5-3 win over Barcelona, with the forward missing the pre-season contest due to a foot issue.

"Yes, we will have to see. First of all, he has to be fit and available to play minutes," Arteta added when questioned on a possible first-team role for the forward in the new season.

Arsenal are currently being strongly linked with Ajax attacker Mohammed Kudus, but they are not currently in a position to make another big-money signing without players leaving first.

The Gunners only have one more friendly left this summer, facing Ligue 1 outfit Monaco on Wednesday, before taking on Manchester City in the Community Shield next weekend.

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