Newcastle United and Aston Villa are in the picture to sign AS Monaco’s Folarin Balogun this summer.
The striker left Arsenal for the Ligue 1 side in August 2023 and has been a regular when fit.
He starred last season, scoring 19 goals and contributing five assists from 43 matches. The American has established himself as one of the best strikers in Ligue 1 and Monaco fans voted him the Player of the Season.
His performances haven’t gone unnoticed in the Premier League, where Newcastle United and Aston Villa are among his suitors.
Two months ago, Sport Witness covered claims from France of the Magpies’ desire to bring him back to England this summer. The Europa League winners have joined them in the transfer chase.
Newcastle United ahead of Aston Villa
Jeunes Footeux coversthe latest on Eddie Howe’s side and the Villans and their title says the former are ‘very interested’ in Folarin Balogun.
The outlet points out their report on Newcastle United from April and picks up on that. The Tyneside club maintain interest and have now contacted AS Monaco. Aston Villa, for their part, are closely monitoring the frontman’s situation.
Newcastle United are very keen but have to sell Yoane Wissa first before signing the 24-year-old.
The DR Congo international has failed to impress since arriving at St. James’ Park last summer. He finished his debut season with three goals and two assists from 28 matches.
Howe’s side have made Wissa available in the market, to free up space and also make cash, to accelerate the deal for Balogun.
The Ligue 1 side are demanding at least €50m to start serious negotiations. Newcastle United would have to finalise Wissa’s exit before making advances for the Monaco star. At the same, they are facing a potential threat from Aston Villa and other clubs.
Contract, value and agent info
Folarin Balogun has a contract until 2028, and Transfermarkt value him at €40m.
Agency Elite Project Group Limited, headed by agent Emeka Obasi, represent him. The former Arsenal man scored a brace in the USA’s 4-1 World Cup win over Paraguay.
