MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 04:16:49| >> :120:21871:21871:

Arsenal's Folarin Balogun 'open to Chelsea move'

Arsenal's Folarin Balogun 'open to Chelsea move'
© Reuters
Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is reportedly open to a move to London rivals Chelsea, who have been told to fork out £50m to land the 22-year-old.

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is reportedly open to joining London rivals Chelsea before the end of the summer transfer window.

The USA international is still on the books at the Emirates despite his representatives' efforts to find him a new stomping ground, as the Gunners' £50m price tag is proving problematic for interested parties.

Arsenal are insistent on receiving a club-record fee for the sale of Balogun, who starred at Ligue 1 club Reims with 22 goals during a season-long loan in 2022-23.

Since returning to North London, Balogun was offered first-team minutes by Mikel Arteta in pre-season, but the 22-year-old did not make the squad for either of Arsenal's opening two fixtures against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

The striker had been dealing with a foot injury towards the end of pre-season, but it is unclear whether his absences have been due to that issue or linked to the speculation surrounding his future.

Arsenal's Folarin Balogun pictured in July 2023© Reuters

Monaco are already believed to have seen a £34m offer for Balogun turned down, and while the French side are expected to table an improved bid, they are facing competition from Chelsea, Fulham and Arsenal's arch enemy Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea have supposedly made contact with Balogun's entourage to gauge his interest in a move to Stamford Bridge, and according to the Evening Standard, the former England youth international can see himself in West London.

Arsenal are said to be aware of Chelsea's interest in Balogun, and Blues head coach Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that his side are open to bringing another new striker to the club before the window closes.

Due to serious knee injuries to Armando Broja and Christopher Nkunku, the latter's fellow new arrival Nicolas Jackson has held the fort up front, but he is yet to get off the mark in the Premier League despite showing early signs of promise.

The Blues have already let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang end his forgettable stint at Stamford Bridge to join Marseille, while Romelu Lukaku has been ostracised from the group as he tries to secure a move elsewhere.

Romelu Lukaku in action for Inter Milan on August 13, 2022© Reuters

The Belgian was initially expected to return to Inter Milan on a permanent basis, but the Nerazzurri severed ties with him after learning that he was in talks with Juventus, who are yet to reach an agreement over a fee with Chelsea.

Balogun impressed with a spate of prolific displays during his time in Arsenal's academy, but the American attacker has just two goals to show from 10 appearances for the first team in all tournaments.

Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard are all ahead of Balogun in the strikers' pecking order at the Emirates, while Gabriel Martinelli is also capable of playing centrally.

Carney Chukwuemeka was on target for Chelsea in their 3-1 loss to West Ham United on Sunday, but the ex-Aston Villa man suffered a knee injury in that London derby and will be sidelined for around six weeks following an operation.

Meanwhile, Arsenal made it two for two against Crystal Palace on Monday night, securing a 1-0 win thanks to Martin Odegaard's penalty despite going down to 10 men when Takehiro Tomiyasu was sent off in the second half.

ID:521821:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6792:

Click here for more stories about Folarin Balogun

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal's Folarin Balogun pictured in July 2023
Read Next:
Chelsea 'make contact over Folarin Balogun deal'
>
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
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


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!