Arsenal have slapped a £35million price tag on striker Folarin Balogun, with one Premier League rival weighing up a move.
Balogun, 21, is expected to leave North London during the summer transfer window, having enjoyed a star-making loan spell with French side Reims last season. The former England youth international scored 22 goals in 39 appearances, courting the attention of some of Europe's biggest clubs.
Both AC Milan and Inter have been tagged as interested, while German side RB Leipzig are also big fans, as are newly-crowned Italian champions Napoli. But there's also interest closer to home, as the Sun report that Crystal Palace are after Balogun's services.
Leipzig had led the race for his sought-after signature but are now looking at alternatives after learning of the Gunners' price tag. Palace are keen to bolster their forward department this summer and previously came close to signing Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson before he agreed a deal in principle to sign a new long-term contract.
Balogun has now risen up the Eagles' shortlist, with talisman Wilfried Zaha also heading towards the exit door and Palace needing to prepare a replacement. The 21-year-old won't come cheap, though, especially after making his senior international debut for the United States.
After switching allegiance from England in May, Balogun represented the USA for the first time earlier this month during a 3-0 victory over Mexico. Three days later, the Arsenal hotshot scored his first goal against rivals Canada, helping his new side win 2-0.
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His form follows on from an excellent 2022-23 campaign at club level, making his mark in Ligue 1. Although he's targeting a similarly successful season next time out, Balogun wants one major difference.
"What I can say is that I definitely won't go on loan again," he declared after scoring his first goal for the USA. "I'm not sure [about] the discussions that are going to take place, I'm not sure what's going to happen. But I'm just committed to now, I try to stay present. I obviously want to enjoy the moment with my team and my family."
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who played in France last term while on loan at Nice and witnessed Balogun's goalscoring feats, has suggested that the Gunners keep hold of him. "I'm not the Arsenal manager but Balogun's very good," Ramsey told the Daily Star.
"We played against him a couple of times and, from what I saw there, he's a very exciting player to have in your team. Arsenal have many great players but he's definitely got the quality. And, yes, he’s good enough for the Premier League."
