Milan trying to lowball Arsenal for academy star

Tom Weber

• 13 Jul 2023 15:59 BST
• 3 min read

AC Milan are weighing up whether or not to make a move for Arsenal's Folarin Balogun, according to Italian media.

The newly-minted United States men's national team star is one of the hottest properties in the Premier League this summer. He's coming off an exceptional season with Stade Reims in Ligue 1, scoring 21 goals in 37 outings.

In light of his performances last season, Balogun, who recently turned 22, is not keen on playing second fiddle. He wants to be the starting striker next season, but supplanting Gabriel Jesus will be a nigh-on impossible task. Thus, he is looking for a move and Arsenal would sanction his departure at the right price.

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That price, however, is believed to be a bit too steep for most teams in Europe. The Gunners are said to want at least €40-50 million, a fee most clubs aren't prepared to shell out on a player who only has one full season's worth of top-level experience under his belt.

Nevertheless, there are interested parties, but they might try to lowball Arsenal.

Milan are admirers

Among the clubs said to be fans of Balogun are AC Milan, according to Calciomercato. The Rossoneri are keen to rejig their attack after only finishing fourth last term.

Lazio's Luka Romero and Chelsea's Christian Pulisic have been brought in to provide creativity, while negotiations with wingers Samuel Chukwueze and Adama Traore have also taken place. Moreover, the Milan side are looking for a central striker seeing as though Olivier Giroud isn't getting any younger.

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Balogun fits the profile Milan are looking for, but they are baulking at his price tag. They have yet to make a decision on whether to officially enter the race to sign him, but if they were to do so, they would try to negotiate the requested fee down.

At the moment, it's a 'difficult operation,' according to the above-mentioned report.