Reports: Folarin Balogun set to join AS Monaco in permanent deal
08/26/2023 10:38 AM
The lengthy race for Folarin Balogun’s signature is reportedly set to conclude with the American forward heading back to Ligue 1.
AS Monaco is reportedly finalizing a deal to acquire Balogun in a permanent deal from English Premier League side Arsenal, multiple reports confirmed. Arsenal is set to receive $43 million (€43 million) for Balogun, which would be a record sale by the Gunners in club history.
Inter Milan, Chelsea, and Fulham were all linked with Balogun throughout the summer, but Monaco is about to win the race for the U.S. men’s national team forward.
Balogun enjoyed a stellar loan spell with Ligue 1 side Stade Reims last season, leading the team with 22 goals. A lack of senior playing time at Arsenal led Balogun to seek a move away from the Emirates, with the 22-year-old making just 10 first team appearances in London.
Balogun excelled for Arsenal’s U-18 and U-21 sides while also spending time on loan in the English Championship with Middlesbrough. The New York-born striker also featured heavily for England’s youth national teams before switching his international allegiance to the United States last spring.
Balogun scored once in the USMNT’s 2-0 Concacaf Nations League Finals victory over Canada in June. He has earned two caps to date for the USMNT, both coming in the CNL tournament.
AS Monaco has earned seven points out of a possible nine to start the Ligue 1 season, recently tying Nantes 3-3 on Friday. They missed out on European qualification after finishing sixth in Ligue 1 last season.
