According toSky Sports, Inter are exploring a deal for £50million-rated Arsenal forward Balogun, after dropping their interest in Chelsea attacker Romelu Lukaku.
According to the publication, Inter views the 22-year-old as a player with potential for the future, but they have not made a formal offer yet.
Balogun has expressed his strong desire for a consistent starting role in the upcoming season, following an impressive loan spell with Ligue 1 team Reims. During his time there, he scored a remarkable 22 goals in 39 matches across various competitions.
Undoubtedly, securing a place in the Inter team would be challenging, considering the presence of established players such as Lautaro Martinez, Joaquin Correa, and newly signed Marcus Thuram in Simone Inzaghi’s squad.
However, according toCBS, Arsenal are unlikely to rush to a conclusion on Balogun’s future, with the player also admired by Brighton, Crystal Palace and West Ham.
Drawing one of those sides into negotiations would help drive the US international’s price..
Balogun breaks silence on future
Balogun insisted he was focused on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the US, adding that his family and agent were dealing with his future.
Speaking via90minreporter Lizzy Becherano, Balogun said: “To be honest I was away for the year so I’m just back.
Folarin Balogun on his potential move away from Arsenal: pic.twitter.com/KgmIwiaBjp
— Lizzy Becherano (@lizzy_becherano) July 17, 2023
“Obviously I’m just focused on pre-season with the team. It’s nice to see everyone, all the staff
“But I’m just focused here [on pre-season] and my agent and family are dealing with [my future].”
Balogun stoically added as perFootball.London: “I think with me coming back it’s not really much of a situation where I think I can need to try extra hard to prove something. I think it’s a decision that’s not really with me. Whatever happens I’m cool with it.”
Meanwhile, when asked about Balogun’s future, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta said via CBS: “It’s great because he’s done incredibly well. Now we have to think about what is best to do.
“We want to see him, we want to experience him in the next few games, he played the last game against Nuremberg and [he’ll do] so again in the next few games, then we’ll make the best decision.”