04 July 2023 , 14:35
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Arsenal now value in-demand striker Folarin Balogun at a cool £50million ahead of what could be the most lucrative sale of their busy summer transfer window.
Balogun, previously said to be valued at £35m, enjoyed a star-making loan spell with French side Stade Reims last season, scoring a superb 22 goals in 39 games. But the United States international is on the chopping block at the Emirates, as Arsenal look to bring in funds following big-money moves for Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber - the latter two of which are yet to be announced.
The same goes for four of Balogun's team-mates at club level, as Sky Sports report that the Gunners are exploring potential exit routes for him, winger Nicolas Pepe, midfielder Albert Sambi-Lokonga, full-back Cedric Soares and defender Nuno Tavares. The quintet spent last season out on loan and had mixed campaigns away from North London.
Balogun, 22, certainly had the best and it's made him decide that either he'll be playing for Arsenal next season or leaving on a permanent basis. "What I can say is that I definitely won't go on loan again," the Gunners' sought-after hotshot recently vowed. "I'm not sure [about] the discussions that are going to take place, I'm not sure what's going to happen."
Folarin Balogun is a wanted man (John Todd/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)There's certainly concrete interest in Balogun, with the Sun recently reporting that fellow London club Crystal Palace are keen on brokering a deal for the 22-year-old. AC Milan and bitter rivals Inter have also been tagged with interest, while German side RB Leipzig and newly-crowned Italian champions Napoli are claimed to be eyeing Balogun's services, too.
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Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey spent time in the French top flight last term while playing for Nice, witnessing Balogun's goalscoring feats in the process. During an interview with the Daily Star, Ramsey suggested that the Gunners should keep hold of him. "I'm not the Arsenal manager but Balogun's very good," the ex-Gunner declared.
Folarin Balogun shone on loan at Stade Reims last season (Dave Winter/Icon Sport via Getty Images)Have your say! Should Arsenal keep or sell Folarin Balogun? Let us know in the comments section.
"We played against him a couple of times and, from what I saw there, he's a very exciting player to have in your team. Arsenal have many great players but he's definitely got the quality. And, yes, he's good enough for the Premier League."
As for the four other potentially departing players, Ramsey was team-mates with Arsenal castoff Pepe during the 2022-23 campaign, although it's widely believed that Nice have decided against a permanent deal for the £72m man, who'll soon be usurped by Rice as the Gunners' record signing. Tavares also strutted his stuff on loan in Ligue 1, shining as a marauding wing-back for Marseille.
His agent, Cesar Bonaventura, recently explained to TRT Spor : "Nuno is still under contract at Arsenal. He wants to stay in the team but we'll see what happens in the future."
As for Belgian youngster Lokonga, it's been reported that Burnley manager Vincent Kompany, who coached him at former club Anderlecht, is open to a reunion. He has gone public with his desire to play regular football, telling YouTuber Wonhee Hyung: “I don’t know, I will try to go somewhere I will play. That’s the most important thing, to have some games and play game after game.”
In Cedric's case, his options could be limited following an underwhelming loan spell with Fulham.