AC Milan and their city rivals Inter Milan are both eyeing Stade Reims striker Folarin Balogun, according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. Milan are looking to refresh an ageing attack that currently relies on Zlatan Ibrahimović and Olivier Giroud, both in the twilight of their careers, while Divock Origi—who arrived from Liverpool in the summer—has managed only two goals in 23 appearances. Inter, meanwhile, need a replacement for Bosnian striker Edin Džeko, whose contract expires at the end of the season, and for Romelu Lukaku, who appears set to return to Chelsea in June.
Both clubs have been monitoring Balogun for some time and have requested additional information about the 21‑year‑old, who was born in the United States but is eligible to represent Nigeria through his parents. French sides Olympique Marseille and Monaco have also been linked with a summer move for the striker, who has been a revelation in Ligue 1 this season. At 21 years and 252 days, Balogun became the youngest player since Mohammed Salem (Sedan‑Torcy, 1960/61) to score at least 16 goals in his debut Ligue 1 campaign. He currently ranks third in the French top flight, behind Lille’s Jonathan David and PSG’s Kylian Mbappé.
It remains uncertain whether Arsenal, Balogun’s parent club, will permit a summer departure. The Gunners must decide at the end of the season whether to retain, sell, or loan him out for a third time. Balogun’s contract runs until 30 June 2025.
Comments are closed for this story.