Tottenham are about to face European competition for the signing of Ligue 1 striker.
Tottenham Hotspur remain heavily focused on re-tooling their attacking options before the summer transfer window closes, with substantial spending lined up to make it happen.
The Lilywhites agreed an £85m package with Manchester City for Savinho earlier this week after tedious negotiations for over two months. Spurs are also pursuing another attacker from Manchester City in the form of Omar Marmoush.
As per the latest reports, Marmoush has already agreed personal terms with the North London club. A broad agreement of close to £70 million plus add-ons for the Egyptian international has been agreed between the two clubs as well. Despite the potential deals for Savinho and Marmoush, Roberto De Zerbi wants another forward before the transfer window slams shut.
Barcelona, Aston Villa enter transfer for AS Monaco striker
Amid question marks over Richarlison’s future, Spurs are in the hunt for a new No.9. Recent reports suggest the North London club hold ‘intense interest’ in Balogun and are laying out the groundwork for a potential bid.
Folarin Balogun, a former Arsenal youth product, has opened the door to a return to the Premier League as he looks to take the next step in his career. It is also believed that AS Monaco would be open to parting ways with the striker if the right offer comes their way. As things stand, anything around the €60m mark would be sufficient to land the USA international.
Now, according to French publication L’Equipe, Aston Villa and Barcelona have joined Tottenham in the race to sign Balogun from AS Monaco. Villa have made their interest in the player known to Monaco, owing to Ollie Watkins’ exit links. Barcelona, after losing Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, need attacking options to replace the duo in the squad and are keeping tabs on the 25-year-old.
Balogun raised his international profile and overall stock at the World Cup by scoring three goals in four appearances for co-hosts USA. This came after he netted 19 goals and supplied five assists on top of that across all competitions last season; yet, Balogun remains an unrefined finisher with a lack of Premier League experience.
For a club like Spurs on the lookout for an elite-level goalscorer since Harry Kane’s departure in 2023, spending in the region of €60m for the former Arsenal man would carry significant risk. If De Zerbi and Co. aren’t totally convinced over the player’s ability to find the back of the net consistently, we must stay away from Balogun.