Five top European clubs are expected to pursue a deal to sign Folarin Balogun this summer, according to a report.

Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun (L) fights for the ball with Lens' French defender Jonathan Gradit during the French L1 football match between RC Lens and Stade de Reims at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, northern France on May 12, 2023. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun (L) fights for the ball with Lens’ French defender Jonathan Gradit during the French L1 football match between RC Lens and Stade de Reims at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, northern France on May 12, 2023. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)

The Athletic report that AC Milan, Inter Milan, RB Leipzig, Marseille, and AS Monaco are all clubs expected to join the race to sign Folarin Balogun from Arsenal this summer.

As previously reported by David Ornstein, Balogun wants to be a first-choice striker wherever he’s playing next season, which is unlikely at Arsenal.

The centre-forward also doesn’t want to go on loan again, making a permanent transfer the most likely option.

Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun (L) celebrates his goal with his teammate Reims' Zimbabwean midfielder Marshall Munetsi during the French L1 football match between RC Lens and Stade de Reims at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, northern France on May 12, 2023. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun (L) celebrates his goal with his teammate Reims’ Zimbabwean midfielder Marshall Munetsi during the French L1 football match between RC Lens and Stade de Reims at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, northern France on May 12, 2023. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)

Reports from Italy in recent weeks revealed that Balogun is a popular option at Milan, with Arsenal open to offers.

Milan are expected to have a €50m budget on top of any money they generate through sales, and a significant proportion of that money is set to go towards a new striker.

The Serie A club want a player who can help them in both the short and the long term, and Balogun fits the bill, so they’ve been laying the foundations for a move.

Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a penalty kick during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and Clermont Foot 63 at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northestern France, on August 14, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a penalty kick during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and Clermont Foot 63 at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, north-eastern France, on August 14, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP via Getty Images)

Balogun recently scored his 20th goal of the Ligue 1 season, bringing him to 21 goals in all competitions.

The striker’s spell on loan to Stade de Reims has been impressive, and he’s also recently committed his international future to the United States.

Still just 21 years old, Balogun should have a bright future ahead of him, and his value on the market should reflect that.