Arsenal starlet Folarin Balogun may still have a pathway to first-choice minutes away from North London this summer, with Italian giants Inter Milan still keen on securing a deal for the United States international striker.
Per Italian journalist Alfredo Pedullà, the recent Champions League finalist still views Balogun as the ideal addition to the forward line at San Siro and is hopeful of striking terms with the Gunners for a fee in the region of £35m, with negotiations reportedly intensified between the two clubs in the last few hours.
Inter Milan have come back in for Folarin Balogun. Talks have intensified in the previous hours and Inter are confident that a deal can be met of ~£35M. [@AlfredoPedulla] #afc pic.twitter.com/jJm5l9wfnf
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) August 4, 2023
According to Pedullà’s latest report, Balogun “has always been the first choice” option for the club this summer, with recent links to West Ham United and Italian international striker Gianluca Scamacca being viewed as nothing more than an opportunity to pounce on a second forward given the possible exit of Argentine Joaquin Correa.
Despite that, Inter have “never given up on Balogun” and has increased their efforts to add the player into the fold under manager Simone Inzaghi before the conclusion of the transfer window.
At current, Inter still can call upon the reliable services of Lautaro Martínez and summer addition Marcus Thuram in the forward line, as well as young duo Sebastiano Esposito and Eddie Salcedo. However, Balogun will almost certainly be viewed as an upgrade on the latter pair, given the club looking at the American striker as a replacement for Correia in the senior setup.
Balogun was linked with a number of clubs both in England and abroad this summer in the wake of his fantastic loan spell with Stade de Reims in 2022-23 under Will Still, with the likes of RB Leipzig, AC Milan, and Crystal Palace all linked with interest.
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