MX23RW : Sunday, May 5 18:57:37| >> :120:35314:35314:

Monaco 'launch £35m bid for Arsenal's Folarin Balogun'

Monaco 'launch £35m bid for Arsenal's Folarin Balogun'
© Reuters
Monaco submit a £35m offer for Arsenal centre-forward Folarin Balogun, according to a report.

Monaco have reportedly submitted a £35m offer for Arsenal centre-forward Folarin Balogun.

The United States international was involved in his team's preparations for the 2023-24 campaign but is yet to feature for Mikel Arteta's side during the current season.

Balogun is officially out with a foot injury, but he is also out of favour, with Eddie Nketiah currently leading the line in the absence of Gabriel Jesus, who could be back from a knee injury next month.

Chelsea have recently been credited with an interest in the striker, with tentative talks believed to have taken place between the player's representatives and officials from the Blues.

However, according to talkSPORT, Monaco are currently at the head of the queue for the 22-year-old, viewing him as the ideal signing during the current market.

Folarin Balogun celebrates scoring for the USA on June 19, 2023© Reuters

The report claims that the Ligue 1 team have placed a £35m bid on the table for Balogun, but Arsenal are believed to value him in the region of £50m.

The Gunners are in a strong position when it comes to any potential negotiations, with his contract having another two years left to run.

Balogun has been with Arsenal since 2008, progressing through the various youth sides at the club before making his first-team debut in October 2020.

The New York-born attacker has only scored twice in 10 first-team appearances for the Gunners, though, while he struggled during a loan spell at Middlesbrough in 2021-22, only scoring three goals in 20 outings.

Folarin Balogun warms up for Arsenal in December 2021© Reuters

Balogun excelled during a loan spell at Reims last term, though, scoring 22 times in 39 appearances, including 21 goals in France's top fight.

Sky Sports News reported on Wednesday morning that there had been 'positive talks' with Monaco over a move to the club before the end of the transfer window.

The attacker is said to be open to returning to France's top flight, having just enjoyed his best season in professional football while operating in the division.

Balogun has not yet been ruled out of Arsenal's Premier League clash with Fulham on Saturday, but he is unlikely to be involved amid the speculation surrounding his future.

The Gunners have collected six points from their opening two matches of the new campaign, beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 and Crystal Palace 1-0 thus far.

ID:521935:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4950:

Click here for more stories about Folarin Balogun

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Folarin Balogun celebrates scoring for the USA on June 19, 2023
Read Next:
Arsenal's Folarin Balogun 'open to Chelsea move'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
5.30pm
Auger-Aliassime
Rublev
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!