West Ham United have reportedly emerged as the latest club to enter the race for Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun.
The Hammers are on the hunt for a new centre-forward this summer following the £25m sale of Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta BC last week.
Balogun is expected to depart Arsenal this summer as the 22-year-old finds himself behind Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Kai Havertz in the pecking order under manager Mikel Arteta.
The USA international excelled during a loan spell with Reims last season, scoring 21 goals in 37 Ligue 1 appearances – the joint-fourth most in the French top-flight.
Balogun has since returned to Arsenal where he has made only 10 senior appearances, and a host of European clubs are said to be interested in his services.
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Inter Milan have been strongly linked with Balogun but they are thought to be against matching Arsenal's £40m-plus valuation.
Lens are another club said to have registered their interest, while Monaco have reportedly seen an offer in the region of £30m rejected by the Gunners.
Monaco are now set to face competition from West Ham for Balogun, as The Independent claims that David Moyes's side have entered the race for the forward.
The report adds that Monaco and West Ham have emerged as the main competitors to sign Balogun as they are the only two clubs who are capable of meeting Arsenal's asking price.
Balogun is said to have earmarked a move to either Inter or AC Milan as his preferred destination, with both clubs able to offer Champions League football.
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However, the forward is open to alternatives and is believed to be attracted by the prospect of playing in the Premier League.
Following the aforementioned sale of Scamacca, West Ham have Danny Ings, Michail Antonio and youngster Divin Mubama as their centre-forward options, while Jarrod Bowen is also capable of playing down the middle.
West Ham are focused on several transfer deals at present, with midfielder Edson Alvarez poised to become their first signing of the summer having undergone his medical ahead of a £34m move from Ajax.
The Europa Conference League winners have also agreed a fee in principle to sign Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire, and they also hold an interest in midfielder Scott McTominay.
Meanwhile, West Ham are reportedly in talks with Manchester City over the potential sale of Lucas Paqueta, and are said to be keen to receive Cole Palmer in part-exchange should they agree to part ways with the Brazilian.
Oliver Thomas
