Arsenal prepare for their second match of the league season, third overall, when they make the short trip to Crystal Palace tomorrow night, but in between now and then, we have transfer talk to do. Let’s cover the latest narratives surrounding Folarin Balogun and Ansu Fati, starting with the former.
The 22-year-old striker starred while out on loan last season at Reims, and he wants regular first team football again this season.
Arsenal at Crystal Palace FYIs
Kickoff: Mon August 21, 8pm, Selhurst Park, London, UK
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Google Result Probability: 61% Crystal Palace 16 Draw 23%
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The United States international has no shortage of potential suitors either, with West Ham, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham all said to be keen. However, a report in Football.London states that Arsenal are looking to fetch a club-record fee in exchange for parting ways with him.
The current record sale for the North London club belongs to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, when he was shipped up to Liverpool for about £35m ($45m) in 2017.
Arsenal are hoping to get as much £50 million ($64m) for Balogun.
As you can see, its been a very very busy summer transfer window, when it comes to players on the USMNT:
An unreal Summer for the USMNT ??
Pulisic ?? Milan
Musah ?? Milan
Weah ?? Juve
Wes ? Juve
Turner ?? Nottingham Forest
Adams ?? Bournemouth
Dest, Pepi, Tillman ?? PSV
Aaronson ?? Union Berlin
Wright ?? Coventry
Trusty ?? Sheff UnitedBalogun is the final moving piece pic.twitter.com/F0nPBQGF60
— American Hooligans ???? (@AmericanHoolis) August 20, 2023
Moving on to Fati, the FC Barcelona midfielder is looking for an exit from the Camp Nou, due to lack of playing time. According to ESPN, Arsenal have opened talks with the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes.
He is the game’s foremost super-agent these days, and he is no doubt very busy when it comes to this specific client.
The 20-year-old potential star is wanted by Real Madrid, Manchester United and Tottenham, among others.
The club’s all-time youngest goal scorer, Fati has suffered too many injuries, and has thus seen his playing time diminish. A new destination could restart his career.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.