Chelsea held talk with Folarin Balogun agents last night.
Folarin Balogun is a target for Chelsea, who have held tentative talks with the striker’s advisers, talkSPORT understands.
Fulham had been connected with an interest in the American international, but Chelsea have now joined the fight for his signing.
Monaco are also thought to be interested in the £50 million-rated forward, on whom Mikel Arteta is willing to cash in.
Balogun had a fantastic season on loan at French club Reims, scoring 22 goals and contributing three assists in 39 appearances.
Following his switch of allegiance from England, the 22-year-old has also had a promising start with the United States international squad, scoring in only his second game to lead his new nation to a CONCACAF Nations League final victory over Canada.
However, he has been judged surplus to needs at the Emirates Stadium, having been left out of Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest, with the club willing to sell him for a large amount.
Fulham are investigating a move to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, where he would team up with new acquisition Neymar.
However, it is said that the Cottagers are only willing to pay £35 million for the Arsenal player, while French club Monaco are also considering a bid, and Inter Milan have backed out of the race to recruit him.
Chelsea has spent about £350 million on eight players this summer, but they now appear to be ready to rectify their problems right away by making contact with Balogun’s agency.
Blues fans have been pleading for a new striker as the club continues to spend heavily this summer, and it appears that transfer bosses are now ready to make a deal to help Mauricio Pochettino’s offensive options.
Romelu Lukaku has returned to Cobham following a loan spell at Inter Milan, but the Belgian striker has not been assigned a squad number and is largely anticipated to leave before the transfer market ends.
Meanwhile, Christopher Nkunku, a £52 million summer addition from RB Leipzig, has had knee surgery after injuring himself in pre-season, while 21-year-old Armando Broja is still out with a knee ailment that kept him out until the end of last season.
This leaves Nicolas Jackson, a 22-year-old Senegalese forward purchased from Villarreal for £32 million, as Chelsea’s only viable option up front for the time being. Jackson made his professional debut in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool.
A transfer for Balogun would be a major step up for the young Gunner, who would be leading the line for Chelsea.
But he finished last season as Ligue 1’s fourth best goalscorer – only behind Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe, Lyon’s former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette and Lille’s Canadian star Jonathan David.
So this could be the year Balogun finally gets his chance to shine in the Premier League.
