Arsenal missed on out a huge transfer windfall in the summer after ex-forward Folarin Balogun's proposed switch to Everton fell through - but he could now be on the move
Former Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun
Former Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun(Image: Getty Images)
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Arsenal could be set for a major transfer windfall with ex-Gunners forward Folarin Balogun being targeted for a January transfer to Juventus.
Balogun, 25, was set to join Everton from Monaco in a £38.5million permanent deal on summer deadline day. However, despite having his medical, the United States international decided against the move and left the club's Finch Farm training ground without signing.
Should Everton's move for Balogun had gone through, Arsenal would have benefited from the transfer after inserting a 17.5% sell on clause into his Monaco contract. The Hale End graduate left the Gunners in 2023 to sign for the Ligue 1 side for £34.3m.
In that time, Balogun has scored 31 goals and assisted 13 times in 92 appearances across all competitions. But, despite his move to Everton collapsing, he could now be set to leave Monaco with Juventus circling around a potential move in January.
Indeed, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Balogun is one of three options Juve are considering with Nick Woltemade struggling since his loan move from Newcastle in the summer.
Folarin Balogun during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium.
Folarin Balogun was close to completing a summer move to Everton(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Juve are thought to be 'concerned' with Woltemade, who has scored just once in four appearances after joining the Old Lady. He then endured a nightmare international break with Germany, missing a huge chance in his nation's win against Serbia earlier this month. With the goal gaping, Woltemade sent the ball over the crossbar from just two yards out, causing a wave of criticism in the German press.
Luciano Spalletti, the Juventus head coach, had hoped Jurgen Klopp's new Germany set-up would send him back rejuvenated. Instead, Woltemade has played little and didn't score.
As Juventus are not expected to sign Woltemade on a permanent deal, Al-Qadsiah's Mateo Retegui, Balogun and Frosinone's Antonio Raimondo are the three strikers Juve are eyeing up.
If Juve made a move for Balogun and paid a fee for him, Arsenal, as they would have done from Everton, would receive a sizeable windfall, depending on the transfer fee.
Balogun spent 15 years at Arsenal. The first 12 were in the club's Hale End academy before he progressed through and made his first-team debut in a Europa League fixture against Dundalk in 2020.
But Balogun was unable to kick on and establish himself in the senior set-up at Emirates Stadium. Instead, he was sent out on loan to Middlesbrough and struggled, scoring just three times in 20 matches.