Inter won’t pay more than £30m for Folarin Balogun

It seems the game board has shifted for Serie A’s Inter Milan. After losing the chase for West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca, the Champions League finalists are ready to redirect their focus towards Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.

Scamacca’s future lies in a £26m move to Atalanta, having been authorised to travel to Rome for a medical. Meanwhile, Inter now emerges as strong frontrunners for Balogun, despite no surety of an agreement according to The Daily Express.

Inter are set on the signing of Balogun for no more than £30m. “They do not intend to overpay for a player that is actively looking for a move this summer,” according to close sources.

The Gunners are holding their ground, valuing the 22-year-old striker upwards of £40m. With a remarkable season at Stade Reims, where Balogun struck 21 times, Arsenal’s top brass feel no compulsion to sell – though they may wish to.

“The Gunners believe they have every right to dig their heels into the ground,” particularly given the context of recent market moves like Rasmus Hojlund’s £72m shift to Manchester United.

Arsenal may even retain Balogun for another season, unwilling to compromise on what they deem a fair value for one of Europe’s hottest young strikers.

Throughout the summer, clubs have been wary of Arsenal’s valuation of Balogun. RB Leipzig, AC Milan, Marseille, Monaco, and Crystal Palace have all hesitated to formalise their interest.

West Ham might also enter the scene after Scamacca’s exit, but the Hammers’ exploration of a deal is not yet confirmed.

Arsenal’s coach, Mikel Arteta, has hinted at Balogun’s availability, even amid news that Gabriel Jesus will miss the season’s beginning due to knee surgery.

“The plan with Flo doesn’t change at all, but unfortunately, with Gabby, we are not going to have him. We have other options to play with different qualities of players, so we will adapt,” Arteta commented after the penalty-shootout victory over Monaco.

After loan spells with Middlesbrough and Reims, Balogun has expressed his determination not to head out on loan again. Inter now stands as his optimal chance for departure. The USMNT striker is reportedly open to joining Inter, a move that his close family and representatives will actively explore.