Chelsea receive green light to sign Folarin Balogun

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Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

AS Monaco have found their replacement for Folarin Balogun, paving the way for Chelsea to sign the United States forward.

Prior to the USMNT's disastrous exit to Belgium on Monday, the 25-year-old found himself in the spotlight, albeit not purely because of his exploits on the pitch.

Balogun had been the US's most impressive performer in the first four games of the World Cup, scoring three goals, but a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina changed everything for him and Mauricio Pochettino's team.

US president Donald Trump personally intervened to ensure that Balogun would be available in the round of 16, and FIFA spinelessly caved to the political pressure by suspending the striker's one-match ban.

Overawed by the occasion and the added pressure that Trump's interference created - while Belgium were buoyed by a sense of injustice - a completely paralysed US crashed out of the tournament after a 4-1 loss.

Balogun to Chelsea?

Despite the disappointing ending to his World Cup story, Balogun enhanced his reputation on the world stage, not least because he handled the difficult red card situation with nothing but class - unlike FIFA and the White House.

His World Cup performances hammered home that the 25-year-old is a man in form right now. He enjoyed a rip-roaring end to the 2025/26 season with Monaco, scoring in eight consecutive Ligue 1 games between February and April.

All told, Balogun bagged 19 goals across all competitions last term. It is therefore unsurprising that he has been attracting the attention of possible suitors. What's more, it is believed that Monaco may have to sell for financial reasons.

According to Foot Mercato, the Principality club need to raise funds to balance the books, which is why they are willing to listen to offers for Balogun. It is added that Chelsea are among the suitors keeping tabs on him.

And the Blues have now been given the green light to pursue a deal, with the French outlet claiming that Monaco are in the process of sourcing a replacement for the US star.

The Ligue 1 side, now coached by former Chelsea full-back Filipe Luis, have seen a €15 million bid for Nantes attacker Mathis Abline rejected, but discussions over a deal continue. Auxerre striker Lassine Sinayoko is another option under consideration.

Monaco are ready to cash in on Balogun, though his price tag remains unclear. The former Arsenal prospect currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €25.6m.