Tottenham have been offered Folarin Balogun, with Monaco open to a sale at a competitive fee and the former Arsenal forward now back in the middle of a familiar north London conversation. He scored 19 goals across all competitions for Monaco last season, and the fit makes sense for Tottenham while they continue to look at striker cover.

Monaco's stance on Balogun

The offer has come through intermediaries, and Monaco's position is not being described as a hard no. They are said to be open to a competitive-fee deal, which is why this feels more real than the usual summer noise around a name like Balogun.

He left Arsenal for Monaco in 2023 in a £35m move, and the pathway from Ligue 1 back toward the Premier League has been there before. Monaco are currently third in Ligue 1, and that gives them room to decide whether keeping him is worth more than cashing in.

The broader picture also fits the player. Balogun's 19-goal season in France is the strongest part of the case for anyone looking at him as more than a punt, and Nicolas Jackson is another forward Tottenham are keeping in view. That kind of shortlist tells you what they want, a forward who can add goals without needing a long bedding-in period.

The World Cup debate around Balogun

His name still carries the World Cup episode as well. Balogun scored three goals in four World Cup matches, then the debate around his suspension became part of the story. Wayne Rooney called the decision "an absolute disgrace" and questioned whether the rules were being applied fairly.

Balogun himself said: "My debut World Cup...It hurts to wait 4 years to compete at the highest level our sport has to offer. I want to say sorry to our fans it was not good enough when it mattered most and we let you down."

That background will not decide a transfer on its own, but it explains why Balogun still feels like a name with a proper profile, not just a market rumour. Tottenham sit 20th in the current Premier League standings, so the need for attacking options is clear enough, and Monaco's mixed recent run, with two losses, a win and two draws in their last five league games, makes their willingness to listen easier to understand.

The deal is not done, and there is no suggestion Monaco have accepted a sale. But the player has been offered, the price is said to be workable, and Tottenham are looking at a striker market that already includes names like Nicolas Jackson.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →