Folarin Balogun has linked up with Arsenal for pre-season, but speculation continues to grow around his future with the club.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Scott Kennedy of Canada and Folarin Balogun of the United States battle for the ball in the first half during the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League final at Allegiant Stadium on June 18, 2023. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Scott Kennedy of Canada and Folarin Balogun of the United States battle for the ball in the first half during the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League final at Allegiant Stadium on June 18, 2023. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images)

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun returned to training with his parent club on Saturday, before travelling to Germany with Mikel Arteta’s squad later in the weekend.

The centre-forward is expected to feature in pre-season, but after 22 goals on loan with Stade de Reims last year, there’s plenty of speculation about other clubs with an interest in him.

In France, L’Equipe reported in Tuesday’s print edition that Olympique de Marseille are “on the hunt” for Balogun.

In Italy, reports suggest AC Milan are on Balogun’s case, having seen their coffers bolstered by the sale of Sandro Tonali to Newcastle United.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news
Folarin Balogun Arsenal exit -Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between AS Monaco and Stade de Reims at the Louis II Stadium (Stade Louis II) in the Principality of Monaco on March 12, 2023.(Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between AS Monaco and Stade de Reims at the Louis II Stadium (Stade Louis II) in the Principality of Monaco on March 12, 2023. (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

Then in Germany, Bild (via GGFN) report that RB Leipzig could turn to Balogun if they fail to land Lois Openda, having had a fourth bid of €43.5m rejected.

Having initially written off Balogun as too expensive, Leipzig are now finding they might have to pay even more for Openda, putting a deal for the Arsenal man back on the table.

Daniele Longo writes that Arsenal’s starting price for Balogun is €40m, so he wouldn’t be significantly cheaper than Openda.

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)

As for rumours of interest from Chelsea, there’s not much in the way of concrete information on that front.

Speaking to the Egal Talks Football YouTube channel, Football.London’s Kaya Kaynak suggested it seemed like a long shot.

“I don’t know, quite frankly, if Arsenal would be willing to sell Balogun to Chelsea,” Kaynak said. “I personally haven’t heard anything concrete. It doesn’t quite make sense to me that rumor.

“I know he’s got interest from other teams in the Premier League, he’s got interest from RB Leipzig, as well as teams in Italy are very interested in him.

“So he’s got lots of options. I think maybe he’ll wait and see who comes in first before making a concrete decision.”

For the time being, Balogun just needs to focus on getting in shape for the season, regardless of where he ends up playing his football.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news