There may now be less than two weeks remaining in the transfer window however there remains plenty of work for sporting director Edu Gaspar to do. Arsenal have needs regarding potential incomings and signings with a focus on the forward area in both.
However, a key part of what might transpire before the window slams shut at the beginning of September still centres around Folarin Balogun. The United States international has been linked with an exit since before the window opened yet so far has been unable to secure one.
Offers have been made unsuccessfully by Inter Milan and Monaco, but Arsenal’s valuation is one which exceeds their record sale of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. football.london understands the club are determined for Balogun, should he leave, to become a new record sale for the north London side; Chelsea have even been linked, as have Tottenham.
West Ham United had been previously linked with a move, along with Fulham. If the Gunners are hoping to get their price, the likelihood is that it will require a club blessed with the riches the Premier League provides.
The Hammers though have been keen to add a forward after selling Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta. However, their hopes of signing one swiftly have been rebuffed.
As of Saturday though their search took another blow, but one which might embolden Arsenal of a long-awaited approach for Balogun. Suggestions were that David Moyes had been keen on Montpellier forward Elye Wahi.
However, Ligue 1 runners-up Lens have now reportedly struck a deal with their fellow French competitors. The Champions League side will pay around €35million (£29.9million) for the forward who will replace Lois Openda who joined RB Leipzig this summer in a €50million (£42.8million) deal.
One less option for West Ham leads into the thinning number of targets and potentially a funnelling toward Balogun. Not that they should be forced into a move, but Balogun who scored two more goals than Wahi (21 > 19) would be a strong acquisition for the east London side to make.
Yet there’s hesitation it seems over the valuation the Gunners have put on their forward. Yet, with the clock ticking both clubs are inclined, as would Arsenal with any other, to find an agreement.
Having Balogun see his deal drop below two seasons, which it would after the window shuts, would significantly lower estimations of his value. Plus after his spell with Reims, there’s a strong chance that his value could go no higher, at least whilst at Arsenal with the pathway to regular game time currently blocked.
