Chelsea have opened shock talks with impressive young striker Folarin Balogun over a potential move across London to join the west London side, it has been reported, in a deal that could cost as much as £50m.
The Blues are on the hunt for a new striker to lead their line next season despite having already recruited Nicolas Jackson, with Romelu Lukaku and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang expected to leave the club, while Kai Havertz has joined Arsenal in a deal worth £65m.
Now, Balogun could be heading the other way in a bid to find first-team football after an excellent season on loan in Ligue 1. Playing for Stade de Reims, the 22-year-old scored 21 times in 37 outings, a record that earned him a senior debut with the USMNT in the Gold Cup, where he continued his goalscoring run.
It has widely been reported that another loan is not on the cards for Balogun, who wants the opportunity of regular first team football. This is not something he is likely to get at the Emirates Stadium as of now, with Havertz’ arrival pushing him even further down the pecking order having already been below Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah as things stand.
It means that he is likely to leave the Emirates Stadium permanently this summer, with plenty of suitors across Europe chasing his signature but none yet meeting Arsenal’s hefty £50m price tag.
Now, as per Football Transfers, a shock switch to Stamford Bridge could be on the cards. They report that ‘his representatives have touched base with the Blues over a possible move to Stamford Bridge’ with Chelsea on the hunt for a new no.9 this summer and having shown interest in the likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Randal Kolo-Muani already.
