Arsenal are going big in the summer window and could get three top players through the door over the next few weeks. They began the bidding for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice with an offer worth between £80-90million. However, this was rejected by West Ham as they will not accept anything less than £100m for their star man.
Arsenal are expected to return with an improved second bid which matches West Ham’s £100m valuation. A transfer at this price will see Rice become Arsenal’s most expensive player of all time, ahead of Nicolas Pepe.
Mikel Arteta’s side are also in negotiations with London rivals Chelsea over a move for Kai Havertz. They had an opening proposal worth £50m rejected by Chelsea and are planning to return with a second offer worth £55-60m.
Chelsea have told Arsenal they will not sell the German for less than £70m, although the player is trying to put pressure on his current club by refusing to sign any new contract at Stamford Bridge.
The third player Arsenal are hoping to snare is Ajax centre-back Jurrien Timber. On Monday night, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed how Arsenal have entered discussions to sign Timber from Ajax. They have already agreed personal terms with the defender, too.
While those three players could arrive at Arsenal, some current stars will have to leave to make up space in the squad. One of those is striker Folarin Balogun.
The USA international has just enjoyed a fantastic season on loan at Stade Reims in which he netted 22 goals in 39 appearances. However, it is not guaranteed that he will go straight into Arsenal’s starting eleven as Arteta can already rely on Gabriel Jesus up front.
On Monday, Balogun revealed how he will refuse to go out on another loan, which means Arsenal must either promise him regular game time or sell him.
And now, in an interview with CaughtOffside, Romano has revealed that Balogun’s agent will meet with Arsenal sporting director Edu in the coming days to speak about a potential exit.
“Folarin Balogun has also been vocal about his future, insisting he doesn’t want to go out on loan again,” Romano said.
“I understand Arsenal have a meeting scheduled with his agent in the next few days. Their relationship is very good. In this meeting they will discuss price tag and more, but nothing will happen this week in terms of a transfer. The plan for now is for Arsenal and Balogun to wait for the strikers domino to start.
“I can also say there is nothing concrete with Juventus at this stage, despite recent links, but there are many clubs showing an interest across Europe, from France, Italy and of course the Premier League.”
Balogun had been linked with a move to Juve, who might be in need of a new striker this summer if they sell Dusan Vlahovic. But it does not look like the Arsenal man will be going to Turin.
His main suitors in the Premier League are thought to be West Ham. Reports claim Gianluca Scamacca has signalled his desire to go back to Italy after just one season, with Roma attempting to snap him up.
If that exit goes through, then West Ham will be in the market to sign a new striker who can compete with Danny Ings and Michail Antonio for a starting spot. And this could result in David Moyes’ team launching a move for Balogun.
Wherever the 21-year-old ends up, it would make sense if Arsenal included a buy-back clause when letting him go. Balogun has great potential and while Arsenal cannot make him their main striker right now, they might end up needing him in their ranks at some point in the future.
