Barcelona’s search for attacking reinforcements shows no sign of slowing down as the transfer deadline draws closer.
Having seen a move for Julian Alvarez collapse after Atletico Madrid refused to negotiate with a direct rival, Hansi Flick’s side have been working through a list of alternative centre-forward options in recent weeks.
The latest name to enter that conversation is AS Monaco’s Folarin Balogun, according to SPORT, with Barcelona showing fresh interest in the American international as they assess the market during the closing stretch of the window.
It’s a link that comes off the back of a genuinely outstanding year for the 25-year-old, both at club and international level.
Folarin Balogun scored 19 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions for Monaco last season, numbers that have understandably caught the eye of clubs searching for a striker before deadline day.
His form carried directly into the World Cup on home soil, where he scored three goals in as many appearances before a red card in the round of 32 ruled him out of the tournament’s latter stages.
Barcelona’s interest reflects a broader effort to examine different attacking profiles rather than fixating on a single target, with the club yet to settle on exactly which forward they want to pursue.
Balogun’s situation offers something a little different to Alvarez’s, with Monaco understood to be prepared to listen to offers even though there’s no pressure on them to sell.
The forward remains under contract until 2028, giving Monaco a strong hand in any negotiation that develops, and no indication yet that a fee has been discussed.
Balogun joined Monaco from Arsenal in a €40million deal back in 2023, having first made his name during a prolific loan spell at Reims, where he scored 22 goals in a single Ligue 1 campaign.
He’s continued to develop in the principality since, forming an increasingly productive partnership up front alongside Danish forward Mika Biereth last season.
Whether Barcelona’s interest develops into anything concrete may become clearer in the coming days, with the club still weighing up several options before the September 1 deadline arrives.
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