Inter and AC Milan leading Folarin Balogun pursuit

Serie A duo Inter and AC Milan are currently at the front of the queue to sign Folarin Balogun, according to the Independent.

Off the back of an impressive loan spell at Ligue 1 outfit Reims where he netted 22 times across all competitions, Balogun’s stock has risen significantly of late.

Snubbing interest from England and Nigeria, the 22-year-old recently switched his international allegiance to the United States and wasted no time in opening his account at the second time of asking.

With Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah both ahead of him in the pecking order, Balogun is set to leave Arsenal this summer but he does not want to go on another loan spell.

“What I can say is that I definitely won’t go on loan again,” the striker said on his future last month.

“I’m not sure [about] the discussions that are going to take place, I’m not sure what’s going to happen.”

Having already signed Noah Okafor from Salzburg, it remains to be seen how much of an interest AC Milan will retain in Balogun but Inter are likelier to show more intent.

The Nerazzurri were close to acquiring the services of Romelu Lukaku on a permanent transfer from Chelsea before he made a late U-turn in favour of a potential move to Juventus.

This has left Inter in dire need of a new striker before the summer window runs out and Balogun is currently viewed as the prime target.

Arsenal are expected to demand around £50m for the sale of their academy graduate as the Gunners look to fund potential additions.

Despite splashing out north of £200m to sign Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, Arsenal remain in the market for a new midfielder but that could depend on the departure of Thomas Partey.

Mikel Arteta’s men are also eyeing a right winger to back-up Bukayo Saka and Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus has been linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium.