Is USMNT star Folarin Balogun closing in on summer transfer? Eddie Nketiah in ‘different paths’ admission as exit talk rages at Arsenal

United States international Balogun has, after hitting 21 goals while on loan at Reims last season, made no secret of the fact that he wants to see regular game time in the 2023-24 campaign. Competition from the likes of Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus is blocking his path at Emirates Stadium.

Clubs from across Europe – including Inter, Monaco and Chelsea – are said to have expressed interest in the USMNT star, but no deal has been done. That is because Arsenal are demanding big money from any sale, with the Premier League outfit aware that they have a hot prospect on their hands.

The summer transfer deadline is fast approaching, with Balogun still in north London, but Nketiah appears to have suggested that a current team-mate is edging towards the exits. Nketiah has told SPORTbible of his relationship with Balogun: “That’s fine, we get on well. He’s a great guy and he’s a great player, every situation is different. We’re managed by the same people, but we have different careers. We’re on different paths, so that doesn’t really matter. It’s good to have him back. I wish him all the best, he’s a great player.”

There were suggestions that Arsenal were looking for as much as £50 million ($64m) from any transfer involving Balogun, but that asking price may be dropped slightly as a compromise is sought which suits all parties.