Arsenal could be in line for another sizeable financial boost during the January transfer window, with a former academy star now expected to leave his current club.
The Gunners already benefited from his departure in 2023, but a clause included in that deal means they could now receive another significant payment if his next move goes through.
Arsenal Set for Balogun Windfall
Monaco have confirmed that Folarin Balogun could be sold in January, potentially handing Arsenal a multi-million pound windfall.
The striker came close to returning to the Premier League during the summer after Everton reached an agreement worth £40m with Monaco. However, the proposed move collapsed late on Deadline Day amid reports that Balogun was unhappy with how the Toffees were conducting their transfer business.
Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro subsequently revealed the striker’s frustrations, with Balogun reportedly concerned that Everton were pursuing another forward while negotiations were ongoing.
“Balogun’s allegation is that I’m not feeling well because of the way the club treated me,” Scuro told RMC Sport. “I’m not feeling well because Everton’s medical department brought doubts about my future or my health.
“I have nothing (no medical problem), so I’m not comfortable to sign a long contract here.”
With that move now firmly in the past, Monaco appear ready to facilitate Balogun’s departure when the transfer window reopens.
Scuro has explained that selling the 25-year-old would also help Monaco retain Lamine Camara and Aleksandr Golovin for the remainder of the campaign.
“The original plan is to find a solution for Balogun. If we find that, it will give Monaco the opportunity to keep Lamine and Golovin until the end of the season,” Scuro said. “That is the ideal plan, but we can’t control the decisions and what will happen in the winter.”
Arsenal could benefit directly from the situation. When Balogun joined Monaco in 2023 for a reported €40m (£34.2m), the Gunners did not negotiate a buy-back option but did secure a 17.5 per cent sell-on clause.
That means Arsenal are entitled to 17.5 per cent of any future transfer fee Monaco receive for Balogun, potentially providing the north London club with a significant windfall from his expected January sale.
Elsewhere, Arsenal are understood to be interested in signing Brentford forward Kevin Schade.
