Alex Crook suggests West Ham interest in Folarin Balogun in danger following Gabriel Jesus injury
West Ham’s interest in Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun could be in danger following the injury of Gabriel Jesus, according to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the journalist suggested that following the Brazilian’s injury, Balogun could be used by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta at the start of the season meaning he may be unavailable to West Ham who made contact about the player earlier in the summer.
Arsenal reportedly value the 22-year-old at £50million following his excellent loan spell with Reims last season where he netted 21 league goals [Mirror].
Crook said: “One player we believe is on West Ham’s radar is the Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun. He has such a good season in the French league last year.
“Will he get the opportunity at Arsenal? Well, he might. Gabriel Jesus is injured now for the start of the season. But if Arsenal are open to offers, West Ham will want to be in the conversation, I’m told.”
Against the odds
If the £50million valuation for Balogun is strict, it feels unlikely that he will be the Hammers’ new striker this summer.
The ongoing James Ward-Prowse saga has shown that the club are not willing to spend much higher than their valuation of a player, and nearly half of their Declan Rice fee going to a striker with one good season on his belt does not feel like a West Ham move.
With Jesus injured, again, for Arsenal for the opening few fixtures of the season, Balogun has a genuine shout to get some first-team minutes under Arteta. However, with his current profile and value, it is likely in both parties’ best interest for the USMNT star, unless he is guaranteed game time at the Emirates.
West Ham are in need of attacking reinforcements, however. Michal Antonio is looking more and more likely to depart this summer after Everton rekindled their interest in the Jamaican international. While Gianluca Scamacca’s move to Inter Milan or Atalanta remains in the works.
So should more funds come through the door, a deal for Balogun could pay off in the long run. If he can replicate his Ligue 1 form from last season in the Premier League, then the Hammers will certainly improve on their disappointing league finish.
But they must act quickly amid interest from other clubs as deadline day gets closer and closer.
In other West Ham news, both the Hammers and Southampton must “bang their heads together” in order to complete £40million deal.