‘Highly Unlikely’ Folarin Balogun stays at Arsenal, West Ham United move hinges on Youssef En-Nesyri deal
West Ham re interested in signing Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, who is “highly unlikely” to stay at the Emirates this summer, according to Ryan Taylor.
Writing on his personal Twitter account (24 August), the Express journalist reports that any deal to take him to the London Stadium would likely hinge on the Hammers’ move for Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri.
David Moyes is a huge fan of the Moroccan and the clubs are currently in talks again about a deal, but with time running out before the deadline Taylor believes the Balogun deal is “one to watch”.
“West Ham yet to make formal approach for Folarin Balogun,” he wrote.
“Highly unlikely he will remain with Arsenal beyond Sep 1 deadline. One to watch in final stretch of window if talks for Youssef En-Nesyri fail to bear fruit.
“Moroccan striker trained with Sevilla this morning.”
Interesting
Balogun is a deal that has been there and ready to do all summer, but Arsenal’s asking price of around £50m has been the big hurdle to overcome and is the reason that he hasn’t moved yet.
But as we enter the final week of the window it’s clear that nobody is willing to pay that and the Gunners may be forced to drop that price, which would potentially open the door for West Ham to swoop in.
After losing Gianluca Scamacca this summer a new striker is definitely on the wanted list, but Moyes has been a fan of En-Nesyri for several years, but he has always turned down a move.
Now though he could potentially be more open to it after our European success last year and the fact his international teammate Nayef Aguerd is here too.
But with the history of this deal not coming to fruition, Balogun is certainly one to watch so long as another club doesn’t swoop in first and get a deal done.
In other West Ham news, European giants want Hammers ace amid £27m development.