يستعد نادي أرسنال لتحقيق مكاسب مالية ضخمة مع سعي أربعة أندية من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لضم فولارين بالوجون.

Arsenal will scoop a sizeable cash boost if former striker Folarin Balogun seals a transfer this summer.

The USA star has caught the attention of Brighton, Leeds United, Coventry City and Hull City – after his blistering start to the World Cup.

Balogun has made an electric start to these World Cup finalsGetty

Balogun has so far netted twice for the co-hosts, carrying on his excellent club form for Monaco last season.

He netted 19 goals in 43 games for the principality club last term with the bulk of his goals coming in the second half of the season.

His double against Paraguay in the USA’s opening fixture saw him become the first American player to score twice in a World Cup match since 1930.

Smart business

Arsenal, who sold Balogun to Monaco in the summer of 2023 for £34.2million, opted against inserting a buy-back clause into the deal.

However, former sporting director Edu Gaspar did include a sell-on clause which will see them bank 17.5 per cent of a future transfer if Monaco sell the striker for a fee before the end of his current deal.

Balogun is reportedly on the lookout for a new club with Monaco ready to cash in on him for €50m (£43m).

That could see the Gunners earn a cool £7.56m should he be granted his move away from the Ligue 1 club.

Balogun, who was born in Brooklyn, New York was eligible to feature for Nigeria through his parents and for England having grown up in London.

The striker represented England at Under-21 level, netted seven goals in 13 matches but changed his allegiances to the USA in March 2023 – a few months before his Arsenal exit.

Balogun, who was starved of game time at the Emirates Stadium, later opened up on his departure, claiming boss Mikel Arteta was not behind the decision to offload him.

The striker left Arsenal in 2023 having made just ten senior appearancesGetty Balogun has thrived in France having netted 31 goals in 91 games for MonacoAFP

Balogun’s Arsenal exit

“He didn’t really say much, when I came back he just said well done and he encouraged me to keep going,” Balogun told ESPN of his communication with Arteta.

“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.”

For now Balogun has full focus on helping his country maintain their perfect start to the World Cup,

Wins over Paraguay and Australia ensure the USA sit top of Group D with a game to spare.

Mauricio Pochettino’s USA have made a blistering start to the World CupGetty

They face Turkey on Thursday night hoping to build on their momentum ahead of the round of 32.

Ahead of the final group game, Balogun was asked about his first taste of World Cup action in his homeland and it’s fair to say, the 24-year-old is savouring the limelight.

“Yeah, it’s cool,” he said. “It’s my first World Cup, and I’m enjoying it. I’m enjoying the stakes, I’m enjoying the pressure.

“It’s what brings out the best in me so I’m enjoying it so I’m very excited.

“There’s definitely belief within ourselves and there’s up to 15-20 guys (in the squad) that would put their lives on the line for a win or to block a goal.

“With that sort of mentality, we’re always going to give ourselves the best chance and that’s rare to be honest.”