Arsenal 'could regret Balogun exit' as Arteta faces transfer decision
Mikel Arteta has been advised not to sell Folarin Balogun this summer - with Inter Milan interested in signing the Arsenal forward.
Balogun, 22, scored 21 Ligue 1 goals during a loan spell at Reims last season to gain Inter's attention. The United States international wants to build on his successful campaign in France but may struggle to get into Arteta's starting XI due to tough competition.
Arsenal already have Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard on their books, with Kai Havertz joining the squad this summer. It could be difficult for the Gunners to persuade Balogun to commit his long-term future to the Premier League club.
Balogun has just two years left on his deal and sending him out on another season-long loan spell would be a risk if he doesn't extend that contract. It's believed Arsenal are willing to sell the prolific striker if a rival club meets their £50million asking price.
As reported by The Athletic, Inter are considering a move for Balogun. The Champions League runners-up are on the hunt for a new striker after Romelu Lukaku's loan spell at the San Siro expired, with the Belgium international returning to Chelsea.
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Inter are set to offer €40m (£34.3m) for Balogun, which is likely to be rejected. Yet there is still plenty of time to thrash out a deal for the youngster, who tried to rule out the idea of another loan move while speaking to the press last month.
Balogun said: "I definitely won’t go on loan again. I’m not sure [about] the discussions that are going to take place, I’m not sure what’s going to happen."
Although £50m would be a decent return for Balogun, his former coach Alan Knill believes Arteta would regret letting him leave the Emirates. Knill was Middlesbrough's assistant manager when Balogun was on loan at the Riverside during the 2021/22 campaign.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Knill said: "He was just such a talent... It was just a matter of time until it came through... For me, he now looks ready for the Premier League. Of course, he wants to play. Maybe there's another loan. But I don't think you let him go."
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Balogun joined Arsenal aged eight and graduated to first-team level in 2020. He's scored twice in 10 senior appearances for Arteta's side and completed two loan spells with Middlesbrough and Reims. He found the net three times in 20 games for Boro.
Leaving Arsenal would be a brave decision by Balogun, but he's already made some huge calls during his career. Moving to France to play for Reims was a big challenge, as was switching his international allegiance from England to the United States.
Balogun was a prolific star at U21 level for England, scoring seven goals in 13 outings. Yet he decided to play for the United States, the country of his birth, in May and scored in their 2-0 victory against Canada in June's CONCACAF Nations League final.
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