Folarin Balogun of Arsenal has been linked with Chelsea. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
22-year-old Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is apparently open to moving to Chelsea if the chance arises in the summer transfer window.
Recently, FootballTransfers (h/t Football.London) said that the Blues have been contacted by the player’s agents over a potential move. Now, Football.London claim that the player is himself open to a transfer.
He would be aware of the competition ahead of him at Arsenal. Gabriel Jesus was signed last summer from Manchester City to be the club’s first-choice No. 9 while Leaandro Trossard’s arrival from Brighton & Hove Albion in January only increases the competition.
That being said, they also have Eddie Nketiah, although one would believe Balogun could be ahead of the Englishman in the pecking order due to his recent form. He is coming on the back of a superb season in Ligue 1.
Balogun netted 21 times in 37 French top-division games last season during his loan spell at Stade de Reims. But he still has a lot of convincing to do if he wants to be a regular starter for Chelsea.
It’s hard to see how the situation would be different for him at Stamford Bridge than it is at the Emirates right now. We have recently signed Nicolas Jackons from Villarreal, and the 22-year-old won’t be coming here to warm the benches.
To top it off, we have confirmed the arrival of French superstar Christopher Nkunku, who was a goal machine for RB Leipzig. He can play anywhere in attack but he has thrived playing behind the No. 9 during his time in Germany.
Signing him from Arsenal shouldn’t be as big a barrier as it has been in the past. The transfers of Kai Havertz and Jorginho have shown that the two clubs are open to doing business despite their massive local rivalry.
But we already have several project players. It would be unwise to add Balogun to the mix when we already have David Datro Fofana (20) and Jackson to work on and hone as top-class forwards. Moreover, Balogun still has two years left on his contract at the Emirates. So it’s not like the Gunners will let him walk away for peanuts.
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