Chelsea and Monaco remain interested in £50m-rated Arsenal striker Florian Balogun. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea have begun talks to sign Folarin Balogun from Arsenal, who has been valued at around £50 million by the Gunners.
The 22-year-old was on loan to Stade de Reims last season, where he netted 21 goals in 37 Ligue 1 appearances. This has seen both his reputation and asking price soar this summer transfer window.
Along with Chelsea, Fulham have also expressed interest in signing the youngster as they look to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is on the verge of joining Al-Hilal. With just days left before the summer window slams shut, the onus will be on both sides to make their moves.
But the cottagers only want to pay a maximum of £35 million. Balogun put up elite numbers last season with only Kylian Mbappe, Alexandre Lacazette, and Jonathan David outscoring him in Ligue 1.
An injury to Christopher Nkunku has seen the Blues look for more attacking additions, with Armando Broja and Nicolas Jackson seen as other options. Broja is also recovering from his knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be hit the ground running.
Balogun is 22 and also fits Chelsea’s criteria for buying young players. However, it remains questionable if his clinical showing in front of goal can translate to the Premier League.
Despite the USMNT striker’s success in Ligue 1, Chelsea should also look for a more experienced centre-forward. Playing in the Premier League will be different, and we can’t determine how long it will take him to get used to the atmosphere.
Both Jackson and Broja are excellent prospects meaning we could do with an experienced head to guide them. Given the asking price, it makes more sense for us to bring in a veteran rather than another young sensation.
Balogun is certainly a talented player but Arsenal’s willingness to sell him should also be taken into consideration. Just why Mikel Arteta is willing to let one of his promising stars leave remains to be seen.
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