Brentford are unwilling to meet Arsenal’s valuation of Folarin Balogun, with the Gunners asking for £8m if they are to allow their young striker to move across London this summer.

Thomas Frank is looking to reshape his Brentford squad this summer after play-off disappointment earlier in August. There’s significant doubt surrounding the future of Said Benrahma and Ollie Watkins, with an emphasis on continuing to build the squad.

Balogun is someone the Bees clearly like, but reports are suggesting that Arsenal are putting a significant fee on the head of the versatile 19-year-old.

Quiz: Do you remember which club Brentford signed these 15 players from?

As per Sky Sports’ Transfer Centre (16/08, 22:47), Arsenal are asking for £8m for the service of Balogun, which is a price that Brentford are unwilling to go to in their pursuit of a new striker.

The teenage striker is yet to make a mark on the senior side at the Emirates despite Mikel Arteta’s use of the young players within his squad, but Balogun has had a decent impact on the youth sides in North London.

In 2019/20, he made 16 appearances in the Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy, scoring 10 goals and registering a further four assists for the Gunners.

The Verdict  

This is the type of signing that Brentford have done in the past and had huge success with.

If the likes of Benrahma and Watkins move on, it isn’t going to be big-name players coming in to replace them, it’ll be these hidden gems, just like Balogun.

However, why would Brentford be willing to meet and £8m price-tag for a player that’s not played a senior minute of football? It just doesn’t feel like a risk that’s worth taking at all.

Thoughts? Let us know!