Inter Milan’s sporting director, Piero Ausilio flew to London recently for talks with Arsenal over the possibility of signing Folarin Balogun this summer.
According to recent reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, The Italian club view Arsenal star Folarin Balogun as the perfect replacement for 37-year-old Edin Dzeko this summer with the Bosnian international nearing the end of his playing career.
The former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has been linked with a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce, which would leave the Champions League runners-up in need of a new striker.
Inter Milan have made the first move in signing Arsenal’s young star with Ausilio initiating talks in North London recently regarding Folarin Balogun’s availability. Inter Milan aren’t the only club interested in the U.S. international with many big clubs around Europe keeping a close eye on the player this summer. AC Milan, Roma and Napoli are also interested.
The report states Inter would rather sign him on loan with an obligation to buy, however we understand Arsenal are only interested in a permanent transfer this summer with a £40million price tag on the 21-year-old.
Inter Milan want to sign Folarin Balogun this summer. [Image Credit: Getty Images]
READ MORE: Arsenal player trying to convince his former teammate to join him at the Emirates.
Arsenal are looking to sell Folarin Balogun this summer after his outstanding year on loan in France. The Arsenal loanee scored 21 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions for Stade de Reims.
With Arsenal looking to balance their transfer budget, Folarin Balogun may be one of the names who have to leave this summer. Arsenal are targeting some big names ahead of next season with the priority being Declan Rice who has an £100million price tag to his name.
Folarin Balogun believes he has the quality to be a first-team player next season, however with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah already at the club, it’s unlikely Mikel Arteta can provide the game time the American striker is after. Therefore it suits all parties to allow Folarin Balogun to leave ahead of next season.
The American striker is tied to Arsenal until 2025, but he has suggested that his future is currently undecided: “Contractually I have to go back to Arsenal. Because the loan was only for one year so that was always the agreement.”
“But I’m not sure what is going to happen in the future. A lot could happen in football, a lot could change, and it just depends on the conversations we have between me and the club in the summer, and we’ll see what happens.”
NEXT ARTICLE: Details of Reiss Nelson’s £100k-per-week contract have been revealed.
