US international Folarin Balogun, Monaco’s striker, has entered the transfer plans of Barcelona and Aston Villa before the deadline, with the French club prepared to consider his departure this summer.
According to L’Équipe, Tottenham has been monitoring the player for weeks without submitting an official offer, while Newcastle’s chances of securing the deal have waned in recent days.
Barcelona is actively searching for a striker following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. However, their pursuit hit a snag when Atlético Madrid rejected an offer approaching €100 million for Julián Álvarez, despite the Argentine’s desire to move to the Camp Nou.
Other alternatives have also fallen through; Chelsea declared João Pedro untransferable, while Barcelona refused to trigger the €80 million release clause for Colombian striker Luis Suárez after Sporting CP insisted on the full amount.
Aston Villa is closely monitoring Balogun’s situation in anticipation of Ollie Watkins potentially moving to the Saudi Pro League. Monaco could demand around €60 million for their striker, who is under contract until the summer of 2028.
The 25-year-old returned to Monaco training following the World Cup and was included in the European squad, making him eligible to play against Górnik Zabrze in the second leg of the Conference League play-offs after a 3-2 victory in the first leg.
Balogun developed through Arsenal’s academy and stood out during a loan spell with Reims, scoring 21 Ligue 1 goals, before completing a permanent transfer to Monaco for approximately €40 million. Last season, he netted 19 goals and provided 3 assists across 43 matches, earning him the fans’ Player of the Season award.
Balogun scored 3 goals for the United States at the World Cup but was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, receiving a one-match suspension. FIFA subsequently suspended the execution of the penalty for one year, reinstating him for the match against Belgium following an intervention and direct call between US President Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino.
