Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun in ‘one of the strongest candidates’ to replace Joaquin Correa at Inter Milan, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Serie A side are trying to find a new club for Correa and Balogun has been identified as the main target to replace him. It’s claimed Balogun will be ‘99% bought’ by the Nerazzurri and the negotiations won’t be easy because of the Gunners.
Arsenal let the striker spend the season on loan at Stade Reims, where he managed 20 goals and three assists from 36 league games. He has ‘exploded’ at the Ligue 1 side and it has helped him draw interest from other clubs.
Mikel Arteta’s side are demanding €40m for the 21-year-old and have set the price tag, taking into account his form, age, profile and potential. It would be ‘ideal’ for Arsenal if a Premier League side were to buy him.
The price makes it an uphill task for Inter to join other clubs in the race to sign the player who came up through the London club’s academy and has ‘Arsenal in his head’.
At the same time, he’s also aware of the need to play regular football, which Balogun won’t be able to enjoy at the Emirates. In fact, Arteta’s side would ‘like to sell him’ in the summer if there’s an ‘important offer’.
Along with Inter, RB Leipzig, Villarreal, Marseille and AS Monaco have also expressed their interest with his entourage. The Italian club have made it to the Champions League final and can use it to attract the frontman.
If Inter were to table an offer of €25m plus bonuses, it would be ‘proof’ they are ready to bet on him. They have to carry out a negotiation with Arsenal, which Gazzetta state is ‘not easy’ because the English club will not offer a discount.
Balogun has several suitors and Arsenal are willing to cash in from his sale. It remains to be seen where he’ll end up in the upcoming window.
