Community Shield winners Arsenal have rejected an opening bid from Ligue 1 side Monaco for young USMNT star Folarin Balogun.
Balogun, 22, confirmed earlier this season that he will not go on loan again after scoring 21 league goals for French side Reims last term. After a superb individual season, Monaco made an undisclosed bid for Balogun after the two clubs met each other in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday but this has been rejected out of hand by the Gunners.
🚨 EXCL: Arsenal reject written bid from Monaco for Folarin Balogun. Follows verbal offer turned down by #AFC after friendly. #ASMonaco pursuit ongoing – sporting directors have good relationship. #Inter keen but unclear if can afford @TheAthleticFC #USMNT https://t.co/xp0yVUcL8c
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 7, 2023
Folarin Balogun set for Ligue 1 switch
The knockback is unlikely to put off the Monegasque, however, with sporting director Thiago Scuro having an excellent relationship with former Gunners’ midfielder Edu, his opposite number at Arsenal.
Inter Milan remain interested in the USMNT hitman but it is currently difficult to see the Nerazzuri being able to afford Balogun after the Nerazzuri were priced out of a bidding war by Atalanta for Gianluca Scamacca. The West Ham forward will complete his move to La Dea today after a $27.5m fee was agreed between the two clubs at the weekend.
