Arsenal set Folarin Balogun price as part of Mikel Arteta transfer masterplan

11 August 2023 , 03:00

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Arsenal set Folarin Balogun price as part of Mikel Arteta transfer masterplan

Arsenal have got most of their business done in the summer transfer window, but they remain busy behind the scenes as the Premier League season begins.

The Gunners host Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon after beating Manchester City to win the Community Shield last weekend. With Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz on board – and David Raya soon to be – they are feeling confident of running City close once again.

But with the transfer window open until September 1, there is still plenty of time for sporting director Edu and his team to improve Mikel Arteta’s squad. Having splashed over £200million so far, the attention now turns to sales.

Arsenal have a group of unwanted players who they are keen to move on, as well as some first-team stars who are attracting interest. Here Mirror Football takes a look over the latest rumours.

Balogun race hots up

Folarin Balogun is a wanted man. Inter Milan, Monaco and West Ham are all interested in the 22-year-old striker.

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Arsenal are using that widespread interest to drive up the price. They value the US international at over £40m and are not budging so far. According to RMC Sport, Monaco have seen an opening bid of €40mi (£34m) rejected, but Corriere dello Sport says that hasn’t put off Inter Milan, who need a striker after losing Romelu Lukaku and Edin Dzeko.

The Italian outlet says ‘contacts continue’ between Inter and the Gunners over Balogun and they remain hopeful a deal can be done.

Barella swap proposed

Nicolo Barella is a target for Arsenal (Inter via Getty Images)

Arsenal are in contact with Inter Milan because they are interested in midfielder Nicolo Barella. The Independent says they want to use the money from the sale of Balogun to fund the signing of a new No6.

Jorginho is attracting interest from Turkey and Thomas Partey from Juventus, meaning a new midfielder might be needed. Arsenal are therefore ready to offer Takehiro Tomiyasu and Balogun for Barella.

The arrival of Timber has pushed Tomiyasu down the pecking order and he could provide a handy makeweight in a deal, according to Calciomercato.

Patino leads exits

Charlie Patino is heading to Swansea on loan (Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Charlie Patino completed a medical with Swansea on Wednesday and his loan move back to the Championship, following a stint at Blackpool, will be followed by further exits.

Edu is the man in charge of reducing the size of Arsenal's squad and Football.london says he has a long list of players to shift.

They include Balogun, Marquinhos, Alex Runarsson, Cedric Soares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Arthur Okonkwo and Nicolas Pepe.

Felix Keith