Napoli plans to raid Arsenal for Osimhen’s replacement
According to John Cross of the Mirror, Napoli is prepared to enter the competition to sign Folarin Balogun, as they are searching for potential replacements for Victor Osimhen during the upcoming summer transfer window.
It is reported that Arsenal is open to negotiations, but they are seeking a minimum of £30m for the player.
Numerous clubs have shown interest in acquiring Balogun’s services. The Athletic has linked AC Milan, Inter Milan, RB Leipzig, Marseille, and AS Monaco to the talented striker.
However, RB Leipzig’s chances of signing Balogun seem to be diminishing. Philipp Hinze of Sky Sport Germany states that a transfer to Leipzig for Balogun is currently unlikely.
Earlier, Hinze had stated that RB Leipzig would opt out of pursuing a transfer for Balogun this summer if Arsenal demanded a fee of €40m (£35.5m) along with additional performance-based payments.
This price was deemed too high for Leipzig, leading them to consider alternative options. One potential alternative is the acquisition of Lois Openda from Lens, who currently plays in Ligue 1.
According to David Ornstein, Balogun desires to be the primary choice as a striker at his next club, a scenario that seems unlikely to occur at Arsenal. Additionally, he is not interested in going out on loan again and prefers a permanent transfer.
Recent reports from Italy have indicated that Balogun is a favored option at AC Milan, and Arsenal is open to offers for him. The Mirror has also highlighted Milan’s interest in the player.
Milan is expected to have a budget of €50m available, which can be supplemented by funds generated through player sales. A significant portion of this budget is intended to be allocated towards the acquisition of a new striker.
Balogun concluded his successful loan spell at Stade de Reims by scoring his 21st goal in Ligue 1, which brought his total to 22 goals across all competitions for the season.
His performance during the loan period has been noteworthy, showcasing his abilities as a striker. In addition, Balogun has recently made a commitment to represent the United States at the international level, indicating his intention to pursue his international career with the US national team.
Napoli plans to raid Arsenal for Osimhen’s replacement