Arsenal open to offering Balogun plus cash for AFCON 2019 Most Valuable Player

Italian transfer market webiste, Calciomercatoweb has reported that Super Eagles-eligible striker Folarin Balogun could be used as a makeweight for the acquisition of former Gunners midfielder Ismael Bennacer. 

Bennacer was a key member of the Algeria squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 and was adjudged the Total Man of the Competition, the prize for the most valuable player of the tournament.

Balogun who was recently snubbed by England in the latest squad list released for the 2024 Euro qualifiers but named in the U-21 squad has notched up 17 league goals in the French topflight this season. 

Bennacer only in January extended his contract with AC Milan but may still leave for a new club should prospective suitors meet his valuation.

 In a bid to cushion any expensive outlay, the report from Italy claims that Arsenal would be ready to offer the Serie A giants the services of Balogun who is expected to have a hard time dislodging Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah in the pecking order of strikers at the Emirates Stadium next season. 

The Premier League leaders would also offer cash in addition to the player who could yet make his international bow with Nigeria, his parents' home nation or the USA where he was born. 

In the aftermath of his England exclusion, Balogun put out a social media post saying: "you go where you are needed" which many believe was aimed at Gareth Southgate. 

 Izuchukwu Michael

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