Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign Monaco centre-forward Folarin Balogun, according to TEAMtalk.
The 25-year-old was in the middle of a deadline-day transfer debacle involving Everton, Monaco, Chelsea and Lamine Camara.
Chelsea’s move for Camara depended heavily on whether Everton signed Balogun. After the Toffees reached an agreement to sign him, the deal fell through, allowing the Blues to strike a deal for Camara.
However, the Toffees reignited their interest in Balogun again, forcing Monaco to block Chelsea’s move for Camara in the dying minutes.
Dramatically, the centre-forward reportedly refused to proceed with the transfer, leaving Everton without a new striker, Chelsea without a new midfielder and Monaco without any cash injection.
Now back at Monaco, Balogun has not started any game for Filipe Luís’s side and has been completely left out of the club’s European squad for the season.
Although he came off the bench to net a consolation goal in the 3-1 defeat to Paris FC on Sunday, expectations remain that he will leave the club, and work already appears to be underway on his potential departure.
Now, according to TEAMtalk, Balogun’s representatives, led by Jorge Mendes, are working on potential destinations for the 26-year-old ahead of the January transfer window.
One of the clubs being touted is Man Utd, according to the report, which claims the Red Devils have been approached as a potential suitor for the former Arsenal forward.
Balogun to Man Utd
The report adds that United are looking to reinforce their frontline in January, and Balogun has now been proposed as an available option.
While the Red Devils already have Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta on their radar, the United States international is also under consideration as they weigh up their options ahead of the winter transfer window, TEAMtalk adds.
However, United are not alone in the race, with the report adding that Everton, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Juventus have also been informed of Balogun’s availability.
Looking at the USMNT attacker’s statistics last season, where he provided 24 goal contributions, including 13 goals in Ligue 1, the fourth most last season, it is clear his low output this season is due to reduced game time rather than a drop in form.
Hence, a move for Balogun makes sense for several reasons, including his previous experience in English football and the possibility of signing him for a reduced fee around his £41m Transfermarkt valuation, given Monaco’s willingness to sanction his departure.
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