How much is Folarin Balogun worth? Here’s the possible transfer fee

Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun is one man who could well be on the move before the end of the transfer window. A number of clubs are interested in the 22 year old including some of Arsenal’s biggest rivals. Here’s a look at how much Folarin Balogun is worth and how much the Gunners could net from his potential sale.

New York born Balogun has been on Arsenal’s books since the age of eight with his parents having migrated to London several years prior to that. Although he was a prolific goalscorer at youth team level, first team opportunities at the Emirates were limited and a relatively underwhelming loan spell at Middlesbrough during the 2021/22 season suggested the striker was a long way off being ready to shine at the top level of the English game.

However Balogun has since enjoyed a massive breakthrough season in France, firing in 21 goals in Ligue 1 on loan at Reims last term. A first US international call-up and goal also came earlier this summer and the 22 year old’s market value has inevitably soared as a result of his vast improvement over the past twelve months.

Despite that, Balogun still appears to be surplus to requirements at the Emirates, even with Gabriel Jesus currently injured. Eddie Nketiah has been Mikel Arteta’s starting striker in the opening two Premier League games, although it’s the American who holds the higher market value.

The potential to generate significant funds by selling a back-up striker appears attractive to Arsenal at the end of a summer where they’ve invested heavily on new players.

How much is Folarin Balogun worth?

Arsenal’s asking price for Folarin Balogun is reportedly £50m. On the surface, that’s an enormous figure for a player who has only really had one convincing season as a senior footballer. His ability to fire in so many goals for one of the smaller Ligue 1 clubs has inevitably alerted many clubs to his potential though and any move for the 22 year old is likely to involve a fee of more than £40m.

There is even the suggestion that Arsenal may demand more than that £50m asking fee for his services if they are to sell to a rival Premier League club. The North London club won’t want to strengthen a rival, although such a figure would be hard to turn down should interest from abroad dry up with not many European clubs in a position to pay such a sum.

Arsenal hoping for club record sale

Despite having only ever played 70 minutes of Premier League football for the club, it’s now looking likely that Folarin Balogun will become Arsenal’s all-time record sale this summer. That record is currently held by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who transferred to Liverpool for £34.2m in 2017.

Any fee for Balogun will easily eclipse that figure and by some margin. The sale of Balogun would also see the club recoup more than their total sales so far this summer which stands at around £30m following the departures of Granit Xhaka, Matt Turner, Auston Trusty and Pablo Mari.

Which clubs are interested in Balogun?

A host of clubs have been linked to Balogun who was the joint 4th highest scorer in Ligue 1 last term, behind only Kylian Mbappe, Alexandre Lacazette and Jonathan David. French clubs are perhaps the most aware of the 22 year old’s talents with Monaco showing the most concrete interest in the player so far.

The Ligue 1 club are already believed to have had a bid rejected and are busy preparing a new offer that would top Arsenal’s current record sale, but still fall some way short of the club’s £50m asking price. However the ideal scenario for Arsenal would be the start of a bidding war for a player who was one of Europe’s top young strikers last season. 

Premier League interest may come from Fulham who have money to spend on a new forward after selling Mitrovic to Al Hilal while Chelsea are also believed to be interested following Christopher Nkunku's early-season injury. 

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