Sheffield United Battle Other Clubs For Folarin Balogun

Sheffield United remains in the race for Folarin Balogun but has to act fast. Though they have already tendered offers for the 19-year-old player, other clubs could enter the picture and foil their plans.

The Blades had pitched a $4 million deal for the 19-year-old striker but Arsenal FC wants $15 million for him. Regardless, talks are still ongoing with Sheffield hoping that a deal will eventually be sealed, Goal reported.

“We made an enquiry regarding the young man at Arsenal,” Wilder said. “That’s been left with the CEO at our club and their football club. We want attributes that suit us and move us forward.”

The logical choice is for Balogun to try his luck elsewhere. The camp of Balogun had rejected a performance-based contract and the Gunners are now looking at offers. They want the best offer for the young striker but no club has come close to the price they are asking.

Aside from The Blades, Brentford pitched a $6 million offer for Balogun. This was also rejected and Arsenal was hoping to convince the teenager to extend his stay. But when representatives of Balogun rejected the performance-based offer, negotiations bogged down. For the Gunners, Balogun was being given a lucrative offer if he would hit his targets specified in the contract.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder admitted that their interest in Balogun remains. But the only way seen right now is for them to meet the $15 million asking fees. Aside from Balogun, another target fr Wilder is Rhian Brewster of Liverpool.

As mentioned in a previous post, other clubs interested in Balogun include AC Milan and Southampton. These are the clubs who have kept tab of Balogun’s performance last season. He scored 28 goals in 28 youth appearances.

This season, Balogun scored 10 goals in 15 appearances. This season, the 19-year-old has appeared only once for Arsenal senior team where he scored once. This was in the EFL Trophy match against Ipswitch Town.

Balogun would have been worth keeping but Arsenal is resigned to the fact that the 19-year-old prefers a different kind of contract. Instead, the Gunners are giving guys like Tyreece John-Jules and Eddie Nketiah chances, something that is no longer available for Balogun.