Arsenal reject Crystal Palace interest in pair of stars

Arsenal have turned down approaches from Crystal Palace for both Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun this summer, it has been reported.

The south London side are keen to add firepower to their ranks ahead of the new season, and have identified their Premier League rivals as a potential shopping destination.

The Gunners currently have three strikers on their books, with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah seemingly first and second choice at the club while Folarin Balogun could well leave after a successful season on loan.

During his season on loan in Ligue 1 with Stade des Reims he found the net an impressive 22 times as well as providing three assists, shooting himself into the spotlight of plenty of European sides in the process.

Having already personally ruled out another loan, he seems certain to depart the club permanently, and Crystal Palace were thought to be keen.

However, the Gunners have rebuffed any offer from the Eagles for their young talent, while fixing a hefty £50m price tag on his head, with Inter Milan currently thought to be the frontrunners for his signature.

The Sun report that Palace have been met with the same answer regarding a move for Eddie Nketiah, who looks set to begin the season as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice striker following the news that Gabriel Jesus will miss the start of the campaign through a knee injury.

It is claimed that the Eagles ‘have had no encouragement at all’ in their attempts to land either star, leaving them to look elsewhere this summer.

Meanwhile, Inter are readying a first bid for Balogun thought to consist of £25m plus a further £5m in add ons, which will also include a sell-on clause.

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