Arsenal and Monaco Reach €40 Million Deal for Balogun

Folarin Balogun seems set for a return to France this upcoming season. Having made an impressive impact during his loan spell at Reims last year, the 22-year-old striker from Arsenal is reportedly on the verge of sealing a deal with Ligue 1 team Monaco.

It’s anticipated that Balogun will undergo his medical assessment over the upcoming weekend, marking the final steps to finalize a transfer deal worth around €40 million, as reported by Fabrizio Romano in ‘The Guardian’.

During the summer, there was also interest from Inter Milan, but the Italian club found it difficult to meet Arsenal’s high asking price for the talented young player. The Gunners, however, appear to be keeping a smart eye on Balogun’s potential, with reports suggesting a substantial sell-on clause has been incorporated into the agreement.

The move seems to be driven by Balogun’s desire for regular playing time. Despite Arsenal’s main striker, Gabriel Jesus, being sidelined due to knee surgery, Balogun has yet to make an appearance in a matchday squad. This opportunity has instead been given to fellow academy graduate Eddie Nketiah.

Monaco, on the other hand, are in search of attacking options. With Breel Embolo recovering from an ACL injury and team captain Wissam Ben Yedder facing allegations of rape, the team’s forward options have been significantly impacted, potentially paving the way for Balogun to make his mark.