Arsenal missed out on a major summer transfer windfall after former forward Folarin Balogu’s proposed move to Everton fell through – but he could now be on the move.
Former Gunners forward Folarin Balogun could be expected to make a major transfer to Juventus in January.
Balogun, 25, was set to join Everton from Monaco in a £38.5m permanent deal on deadline day of the summer. However, despite passing a medical, the US international rejected the move and left the club’s Finch Farm training ground without signing.
If Everton’s move for Balogun were to go through, Arsenal would benefit from the transfer after including a 17.5% sell-on clause in his Monaco contract. The Hale End graduate will leave the Gunners in 2023, signing for the League One side for £34.3m.
During this period, Balogun scored 31 goals and 13 assists in 92 games in all competitions. However, despite his move to Everton collapsing, he could now leave Monaco with Juventus circling a potential move in January.
Indeed, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Balogu is one of three options Juve are battling with Nick Woltemade following his summer loan move from Newcastle.
Juve are thought to be “concerned” with Woltemade, who has scored just one goal in four games since joining the Old Lady. He then endured a nightmare international break with Germany, missing a big chance in his side’s win over Serbia earlier this month. When the goal was conceded, Woltemade fired the ball over the bar from just two yards, prompting a wave of criticism in the German press.
Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti hoped Jurgen Klopp’s new set-up in Germany would bring him back rejuvenated. Instead, Woltemade played little and did not score.
With Juventus not expected to sign Woltemade on a permanent deal, Al-Qadsiah’s Mateo Retegui, Balogun and Frosinone’s Antonio Raimondo are the three strikers Juventus are eyeing.
If Juve were to move for Balogun and pay a fee for him, Arsenal would make a huge profit depending on the transfer price, as they would from Everton.
Balogun spent 15 years in “Arsenal”. The First 12 was at the club’s Hale End academy before progressing and making his first-team debut in a Europa League match against Dundalk in 2020.
But Balogun failed to start and establish himself in the senior squad at the Emirates Stadium. Instead, he was sent out on loan to Middlesbrough and struggled, scoring just three goals in 20 appearances.