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Football London
Football London
Sport
Josh Holland

Arsenal player set for crunch transfer talks as Mikel Arteta plots $50m move

Welcome to the football.london transfer briefing. To help you keep on top of all things Arsenal going on in the market we've got the latest noises coming from social media, journalists and so-called ITKs, rounding up what's what in the world of the Gunners.

Balogun hints at future

Folarin Balogun's future at Arsenal could be decided in the coming days. The striker is expected to leave the Gunners this summer following his loan spell with Stade Reims.

The USMNT star teased supporters on social media by writing on Twitter 'It is time!' on Friday morning. The tweet was sent from Enfield, London, ten miles away from London Colney. Back in April, it was reported the forward and club would hold crunch talks over his future over the summer.

football.london says: After impressing and scoring for the USMNT last month, Balogun's confidence is sky high and rightly so. With opportunities limited at the Emirates Stadium, a transfer is the best move for all parties.

Balogun's situation has always been a difficult one to understand. If Arsenal had the opportunity to sign a striker who had scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 last season, it would be hard to turn the deal down. They have that with the 21-year-old, yet it seems he has little chance to impress Arteta.

Some would argue Balogun can offer more than Eddie Nketiah for Arsenal next season but it it simply comes down to the Gunners wanting to cash-in on the striker valued at £35 million now with his demand so high.

READ MORE: UEFA confirm Arsenal process to avoid Champions League squad problem after Kai Havertz transfer

Ignacio boost

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio. According to reports from Portugal, the Gunners are open to the move after learning they could land the centre-back through a flexible payment plan given he has a €45m ($50m) release clause.

Liverpool, Manchester United and Liverpool are also all keen, though no formal bid has been made yet. According to Correio da Manha, Arsenal could look at offering €35m plus €10m in add-ons.

football.london says: Arsenal's options in defence needed strengthening this summer after last season's collapse in the title race. Losing William Saliba left them short when the going got tough, hence a move for Timber has moved so quickly.

With Rob Holding linked with a move to Turkey, Edu Gaspar may have to dip back into the European market for a new centre-back. As we've seen already this window, Arsenal are happy to submit offers in instalments which makes Inacio an attractive asset.

With Rice and Timber yet to officially arrive, Arsenal are expected to wait until they sell before looking to make further signings. Yet at such a small fee, Inacio could be the perfect deputy to Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.

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