Folarin Balogun has finally shared his thoughts on leaving Arsenal and completing his €40 million (£34 million) transfer to AS Monaco.
The 22-year-old forward sealed his departure from the Emirates Stadium towards the end of the transfer window, putting an end to months of speculation surrounding his future. Balogun had a successful stint in Ligue 1 during the 2022/23 season, scoring an impressive 21 league goals. Following his remarkable performances, he made his senior international debut for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT).
Balogun garnered interest from several top clubs across Europe, including Inter Milan, Chelsea, West Ham, Tottenham, RB Leipzig, and AC Milan. Although he was initially part of Mikel Arteta’s pre-season plans, Balogun was eventually left out of Arsenal’s squad at the beginning of the season.
According to reports, Arsenal included a 17.5% sell-on clause in the deal. Balogun made his debut for Monaco in the final gameweek before the international break, coming off the bench in their 3-0 victory over RC Lens.
While on international duty with the USMNT, Balogun expressed that his move to France was an easy decision for him. In an interview with Offside with Taylor Twellman, he stated, “When Monaco showed interest, it was a straightforward decision for me. I told my agent, ‘This is where I want to go.’ Fortunately, he made it happen.”
He further explained, “For me, it was crucial to join a team that is competing for titles. Monaco is a prestigious club in the French league. Additionally, I wanted to have playing time. I aim to prove myself and demonstrate to others that I am fully capable of being a team’s leading striker.”
