The former Arsenal striker, who [made the move to Monaco](https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/12950038/folarin-balogun-monaco-sign-arsenal-striker-in-gbp34m-transfer-deal-on-five-year-contract) in the summer on 2023 for €30m, will undergo surgery, with his return not expected until mid-April 2025.
This setback is a major blow for both Monaco—currently third in Ligue 1—and Balogun himself, who had begun to find his rhythm after a season plagued by interruptions.
Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images
Balogun, 23, initially dislocated his shoulder during Monaco’s clash with Rennes on 5 October. Though he returned briefly to feature against Benfica and Marseille, a subsequent knock at the Stade Vélodrome forced him back to the sidelines.
Hütter lamented the absence of the American forward, stating Folarin Balogun “will be out for about four months” after undergoing surgery.
The manager’s frustration was clear as he turned his focus to the January transfer window to address the void Balogun leaves. “We are very attentive, it is our role to look at the transfer market, what we can do, what is the best solution for us. We have to find someone who scores. It doesn’t matter if he is 22, 31 or 35 years old. Finding the right profile that can help us score goals is a very important topic for us.”
Among those reportedly under consideration is Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani, a player Hütter knows well from their time together at Eintracht Frankfurt. “I have known Kolo Muani since his time in Frankfurt, where he was really very good. That’s a good profile. But a lot of other things come into play.”
Sold to Monaco the summer before last amid a swirl of debate, the deal’s €30m price tag—plus €10m in performance-related add-ons and a 17.5% sell-on clause—was seen as a solid piece of business, though not without controversy. Many supporters felt Balogun deserved a greater opportunity in Mikel Arteta’s squad after his breakout loan spell at Reims, where he netted 21 goals in Ligue 1.
Since arriving at Monaco, Balogun has contributed 11 goals and eight assists across 42 appearances, averaging around 60 minutes per game. While his output has been promising, the disjointed nature of his season has been disruptive as he started to find his feet.
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