Arsenal take fresh transfer stance on £45m star with Arteta’s ‘preference’ made clear
Folarin Balogun has made it clear that he is not prepared to spend the season out on loan, but Mikel Arteta still likes the idea of loaning the Arsenal star out.
The future of the 22-year-old is now up in the air. Having scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 last season, his market value is now higher than ever.
Inter Milan are big admirers of the striker and Man Utd were even considering making a move for the forward at one stage.
Following the success of his loan spell with Reims, Balogun is now looking for a club to join on a permanent basis.
This has left Arteta in a somewhat awkward position because he would be prepared to sanction another loan deal according to Ben Jacobs.
“I think that [Folarin] Balogun is obviously still one to watch,” Jacobs explained as quoted by The Boot Room. “We know that Inter [Milan] have been interested in him having given up on Romelu Lukaku.
“Arsenal’s valuation for Balogun rightly so has gone up significantly and that is because he had a fantastic season last campaign and Balogun has made it clear, he’s said it on record that he’s not prepared to go out on loan.
“Which is a shame for Arsenal because they are almost certain if Balogun said to [Mikel] Arteta, ‘Loan me out and I’ll come back in a year’, then that would be Arsenal’s preference.
“So, we now have to wait and see how that one is going to progress. It might have something in the region of £45m to make a deal for Balogun.”
Inter Milan have already seen an offer of £34m rejected for the forward as Arsenal are holding out for a higher price.
The 22-year-old is under contract until the summer of 2025 and so Arsenal are still in a strong position to negotiate his market value.
With Balogun seemingly reluctant to go out on loan, Arsenal will more than likely decide to cash in on the forward as long as a suitable bid is made.
Arsenal’s best bet could be to include a buy-back clause in the contract. This way they will be able to cash in on him while his value is high, but also protect their interests in the future.
