Arsenal would ask for at least €40m to sell Folarin Balogun in the summer, according to a report from Italy.

Reims' midfielder Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a penalty during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and FC Nantes at the Auguste-Delaune stadium in Reims, northern France on November 6, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ midfielder Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a penalty during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and FC Nantes at the Auguste-Delaune stadium in Reims, northern France on November 6, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)

InterLive.it report that Inter Milan have identified Folarin Balogun as a player with enormous potential, and they would be interested in a summer move for him, but it seems unlikely they’ll succeed with a bid.

For a start, the outlet claim Arsenal haven’t even decided whether or not they’ll allow the striker to leave. If they do, they’ll want €40m (£35m) “at the very least”.

That’s already a fee Inter don’t have the budget for, effectively closing the door to the signing.

Stade de Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot recently admitted a permanent deal seems beyond the realms of possibility for their club too, though he is still hopeful of another loan.

“I think [signing him] is impossible,” Caillot said. “Either Folarin will return to his club (Arsenal) to have his chance, he’s loaned out, or transferred to a very big club.

“We are already working on life after Balogun, the day when he will leave our club. But if he and the club are open to another year at Reims, we’ll do everything to make it happen.”

Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun (C) shoots and scores his team's first goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade de Reims at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on January 29, 2023. (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun (C) shoots and scores his team’s first goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade de Reims at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on January 29, 2023. (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal shouldn’t be short of offers this summer, but they’ll have to decide whether to keep Balogun and extend his contract to make him part of Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans or to cash in on his impressive season in Ligue 1.

Balogun currently has a deal with Arsenal until 2025, so he still has more than two years to go. But loaning him out again without an extension would mean he wouldn’t return until his final 12 months.

Another loan to France to play for the same club probably isn’t going to be particularly appealing to Arsenal or Balogun.

Young players always seem to want that sense of progression from year to year, and it’s hard to see what more Balogun could give with Reims.

Balogun has 17 goals for Reims in 28 appearances this season, and he’s joint-third in the Ligue 1 top scorers list.