Former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has acknowledged that he felt pressured into leaving the team this summer.

Balogun, 22, scored 22 goals while playing on loan for Stade Reims in France last season, sparking the curiosity of many top European clubs.

As a result of having to make a choice about his future, Arsenal finally decided to cash in on Balogun, agreeing to a contract to move him to Monaco for an initial fee of £26 million while still choosing to believe in Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.

In an interview with ESPN, Balogun stated that despite Mikel Arteta’s desire to collaborate with him, officials at the Emirates eventually blocked their plans.

“[Arteta] didn’t really say much, he just said that – when I came back he just said well done, and he encouraged me to keep going,” Balogun explained. “Then me coming back in a pre-season, it was just more about me seeing whether I fit into his plans and seeing if I can continue to play some games.

“He said that he would try to get me involved as best as he could, but of course he also told me that the people higher up were making decisions on me and seeing what would be best for me. So the conversations between me and him were good, but it was more about the club, what they wanted to do.”

Although Inter and Chelsea had discussions earlier in the summer, Balogun finally moved for Monaco, where he has scored three goals in his first five games while also missing two penalty kicks.

“It [his future up in the air] wasn’t something that made me feel anxious, it was just more a case of seeing what wanted to be done,” Balogun said. “It was out of my hands, that’s how I felt. It wasn’t something I could control.

“The only thing I could do was just turn up to train and work hard. So I did that. And then after training, I enjoyed being back in London. I saw my friends, caught up with my family.”

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In a deal costing €40 million (£34 million), AS Monaco purchased Folarin Balogun. It also included a 17.5% sell-on clause for Arsenal.

The 22-year-old striker garnered a lot of interest from clubs during the summer transfer window, including Inter Milan, Chelsea, Fulham, West Ham United, and other German teams. However, AS Monaco has emerged as the victor after their initial bid was rejected earlier this month.

It should be noted that Arsenal was willing to let Balogun go this summer, providing the correct price was presented. Following the exits of Pablo Mari, Granit Xhaka, Auston Trusty, and Matt Turner, this transaction is the Gunners’ sixth permanent sale.

Balogun returns to Ligue 1 after joining AS Monaco. He was one of the major success stories among Arsenal’s loaned players last season. With 21 goals, he was among the league’s top scorers, even outscoring established names like Lionel Messi and Neymar, but he finished second to Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot competition.

Wishing you all the best, Flo ❤️

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 30, 2023

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Folarin Balogun claims he “definitely won’t go on loan again” as rumors of a summer transfer away from Arsenal continue to grow.

The highly regarded striker joined the Gunners in 2021 and signed a four-year deal, but since making his senior debut in 2020, he has only played in two Premier League games.

Balogun spent time honing his skills at Middlesbrough and Reims, and he broke the 20-goal mark during a successful stint in France last season.

The 21-year-old, who has sworn loyalty to the United States internationally, is already drawing interest from all around Europe, and it’s anticipated that a permanent arrangement will be made this summer.

Balogun has said when quizzed on his future: “I’m not sure [about] the discussions that are going to take place. I’m not sure what’s going to happen. But I’m just committed to now; I try to stay present. I obviously want to enjoy the moment with my team and my family. What I can say is that I definitely won’t go on loan again.”

In the CONCACAF Nations League final, the USMNT defeated Canada 2-0, and Balogun scored his first goal for the team. However, he is unlikely to stay at Emirates Stadium because he would have to compete with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah for a striker’s spot.

Balogun has been strongly associated with teams like Juventus, AC Milan, Inter, Marseille, and RB Leipzig, with his future appearing destined to lay outside of north London.

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