Inter Milan are set to launch a fresh bid to sign Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun as the 22-year-old continues to be linked with a move away.
Following a prolific spell with Reims last season, Balogun has attracted interest from all over Europe.
Inter Milan have been linked with the 22-year-old throughout the summer, but they have been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign him so far.
The Italian club had briefly turned their attention to West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca, although he is now set to sign for Atalanta.
Having missed out on Scamacca, Inter are now ready to launch a fresh bid to lure Balogun to the San Siro.
According to Tuttosport, Inter are preparing an offer of €35m plus add-ons for the Arsenal forward.
Arsenal have set their asking price at £45m and so Inter’s latest offer will fall significantly below what Arsenal are looking for.
Balogun himself reportedly wants Arsenal to drop their asking price so that he can complete a move this summer.
Arsenal do find themselves in a tricky spot with their striker situation as Gabriel Jesus is expected to miss the start of the season.
Mikel Arteta confirmed the Brazilian star is set to be sidelined for a couple of weeks, although this shouldn’t change their plans with Balogun.
“Unfortunately he had a little procedure this morning. He’s had some discomfort in his knee that caused him some issues so they had to go in. He’s going to be out for a few weeks,” Arteta explained.
“A big blow because we had him back to his best, especially with the way he played against Barcelona and he was in good condition but unfortunately we lost him.
“We had to look at it and we had to make a decision and the best one is to protect the player and get him back as quick as possible. We decided to do it.
“It’s something related to the previous injury he had and the surgery. He had some irritation in the knee and we had to get it resolved.
“The plans with Flo don’t change at all but unfortunately with Gabby we’re not going to have him,” Arteta added. “We have other options to play with different qualities of players and we will adapt.”
Time will tell if Arsenal do decide to lower their asking price for Balogun or if they stick to their guns.
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