Arsenal could land payday as Pochettino eyes move for former Gunner
Arsenal are poised to receive a financial boost if Manchester United follow through on interest in a familiar face from the club's academy. Mauricio Pochettino, newly installed as United manager after agreeing to replace Michael Carrick as USA head coach, is reportedly keen on bringing in a number of American internationals during the January window, including Monaco striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun, who came through Arsenal's youth ranks from the age of eight, has flourished under Pochettino's stewardship of the United States national team. Since switching his international allegiance from England, where he represented the country from Under-17 to Under-21 level, he has scored 12 goals in his first 31 senior caps for the USA.
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The 25 year old was a prominent figure at this past summer's World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, though his tournament was overshadowed by a controversial episode. FIFA's disciplinary committee suspended a one match ban he picked up following a sending off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last 32, allowing him to feature in the last 16 defeat to Belgium. US President Donald Trump admitted he personally asked FIFA to review the suspension.
Balogun's stalled summer move
Balogun left Arsenal for Monaco in a permanent deal worth approximately £35m in 2023, following loan spells at Middlesbrough and Reims. Since then he has scored 32 goals and provided 13 assists in 98 appearances across all competitions for the Ligue 1 side.
Despite that record, he has started just once at club level this season. A proposed £40m move to Everton collapsed late in the summer window after what Balogun claimed was a last minute change in contract terms. Monaco and Everton had reportedly renegotiated the deal after the striker underwent a medical and the Toffees submitted a deal sheet on Deadline Day, only for talks to break down from there. He had also previously been linked with Tottenham.
Both Monaco and Balogun have since confirmed publicly that he is likely to leave the club in January, with renewed interest from several Premier League sides, including Pochettino's United, as reported by the Evening Standard.
What it means for Arsenal
Arsenal did not include a buy back clause when they sold Balogun to Monaco and are not thought to be interested in a reunion with the forward. However, the club did negotiate a 17.5 per cent sell on clause as part of that original deal, meaning Arsenal stand to collect a share of any future transfer fee.
Had the £40m move to Everton gone through in the summer, Arsenal would have banked around £7m from that clause. Any January move, whether to United or elsewhere, would trigger a similar windfall depending on the final fee agreed.
For now, Balogun's next destination remains unresolved, but with Pochettino reportedly keen and Monaco open to a sale, a resolution before the window closes appears increasingly likely.
