RB Leipzig will walk away from the potential signing of Folarin Balogun if Arsenal stick to a minimum asking price of €40m, according to a report.

Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun celebrates with teammates after scoring during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and FC Lorient at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France on February 1, 2023. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun celebrates with teammates after scoring during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and FC Lorient at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France on February 1, 2023. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images)

Philipp Hinze of Sky Sports reports that if Arsenal insist on a transfer fee of €40m (£35.5m) plus add-ons, RB Leipzig will refrain from making a move for Folarin Balogun this summer.

That fee is currently considered too expensive for Leipzig, and they may instead turn to the signing of Lois Openda of Ligue 1 club Lens.

Hinze had previously reported that Leipzig were negotiating with Balogun, but it looks like that option is fading.

David Ornstein reported for The Athletic earlier this month that Balogun is opposed to a third loan spell next season, and he also doesn’t plan to extend his current Arsenal contract – which expires in 2025.

The striker wants to play as a first-choice striker next season, and he’d happily do so with Arsenal. But with that possibility appearing unlikely, a permanent transfer appeals to him.

Balogun has no ill feelings towards Arsenal, but with AC Milan, Inter Milan, Marseille, and AS Monaco reportedly joining Leipzig in the race and offering starts, he’s evidently pushing the club to make a decision.

Reims striker Folarin Balogun (R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Troyes and Reims on October 2, 2022, at the Aube Stadium in Troyes. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims striker Folarin Balogun (R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Troyes and Reims on October 2, 2022, at the Aube Stadium in Troyes. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)

21-year-old Balogun has spent the current campaign on loan in Ligue 1, scoring 19 goals and assisting two in 33 appearances for Stade de Reims.

That puts him close to the top of the Ligue 1 list of top scorers, with only Kylian Mbappe (22), Jonathan David (21), and Alexandre Lacazette (20) having scored more than Balogun’s 18 league goals.