Chelsea have started “negotiations” with Arsenal about signing striker Folarin Balogun, according to the Gazzetta Dello Sport.

The Blues are said to have targeted the American international at the behest of manager Mauricio Pochettino who is keen on strengthening his options up front.

Monaco are also known to be interested in Balogun but Gazzetta claim that Balogun would “prefer” to stay in the Premier League. The Gunners are demanding around £50m for the striker but, when fans were asked how much they would want, to sell the player to Chelsea, fans on X suggested much higher figures:

£100m not joking, they have deep pockets. Maybe £80m.

— N19_Gooner (@N19_Gooner) August 23, 2023

80 plus extras. Take advantage of the desperate and the rich.

— Chris Moore (@moore349) August 23, 2023

£90 plus

— Masila Benard200 (@m_benard200) August 24, 2023

Min £65m what we paid for havertz

— Lin Chou (@linchou) August 23, 2023

£70m or no deal. £50m to Monaco or other clubs abroad but to any other PLs, he’s £70m. It’s as simple as that👌

— Johnsonkay_07 (@Johnsonkay07) August 23, 2023

70m with buy back clause

— Agbor Jacob (@AgborJacob12) August 23, 2023

Wouldn’t sell to Chelsea. Always a bad idea to sell to rivals.

— Chris (@CuntcalledChris) August 23, 2023

100m or nothing for real

— Chosen Mayana (@DewaleJoseph) August 23, 2023

Balogun may still end up moving to France

While reports in Italy suggest the 22-year-old wants a transfer across London, it is believed that Monaco are still the closest to agreeing a transfer fee.

Sky Sports claim the Ligue One club are not far off reaching a verbal agreement with the Gunners over a price for Balogun.

Arsenal would be wise to include a buyback clause

Even if the London club do sanction Balogun’s sale before the transfer window closes next week, you would hope that some sort of buyback option is agreed.

Balogun is undoubtedly a very talented player, having scored 21 goals for Stade de Reims during a loan spell last season, and including such a clause would ensure there is a route for him to return to the Emirates in the future.