Euro Paper Talk: Disgruntled Arsenal forward opens shock talks with Chelsea; U-turn sparks Liverpool midfield deal

An Arsenal forward likely to leave this summer has held talks over jumping ship to Chelsea, while a firing and a change of heart has put a Liverpool midfield deal back in play – both in Friday’s Euro Paper Talk.
FOLARIN BALOGUN TO CHELSEA?
Chelsea’s search for a potent new centre-forward could lead them across London to Arsenal after a report claimed Folarin Balogun’s camp have held talks over a shock move to Stamford Bridge.
Balogun, 22, is coming off the back of a breakthrough campaign when loaned to French side Reims. Balogun bagged 21 goals in Ligue 1 alone, finishing joint-fourth in the league’s top scorers chart.
However, rather than be the benefit from his superb loan spell on the pitch, Arsenal may be ready to cash in with Balogun’s price at an all-time high.
Indeed, with Gabriel Jesus the No 1 option up top and Eddie Nketiah and £65m man Kai Havertz in reserve, Balogun’s gametime will be severely limited if remaining at the Emirates next season.
The Daily Mail previously reported Balogun is dead set against a third loan spell away. The USA international previously spent time at Middlesbrough aside from his Reims stint last year.
The Times later claimed that with Arsenal backed into a corner, they’ll reluctantly listen to offers this summer. Per the Telegraph and Arsenal insider Charles Watts, the going rate to sign Balogun will be around £50m.
Now, according to online outlet Football Transfers, it’s Chelsea who could be Balogun’s next stop.
The Blues have already landed Nicolas Jackson for £32m from Villarreal. However, with Romelu Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Armando Broja all linked with exits, another potent striker could be required.
Football Transfers tip that man to be Balogun after revealing the player’s representatives have ‘spoken to Chelsea about a possible move to Stamford Bridge’.
Balogun’s search for regular starts is deemed ‘likely’ to result in an exit from Arsenal this window. A shock switch to London rivals Chelsea may await.
LIVERPOOL CAN REIGNITE MIDFIELD DEAL
Liverpool could be handed a late-window chance to sign confirmed target Ryan Gravenberch. Bayern Munich were initially unwilling to part ways, though the firing of sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic, combined with manager Thomas Tuchel potentially relaxing his stance has re-opened the door. (Christian Falk – BILD)
Real Madrid will entertain offers in the range of €80m-€100m for Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde as they aim to free up funds to sign Kylian Mbappe. Liverpool and Arsenal have been linked with Tchouameni, while Valverde is also on the Reds’ radar. (Radio Marca)
Lille are hoping to sign Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Sanson on loan with an option to buy following his temporary spell at Ligue 1 rivals Strasbourg last season. (L’Equipe)
Chelsea will refuse to pay Brighton’s new £100m-plus asking price for Moises Caicedo. Brighton have raised their expectations after seeing Declan Rice – who is three years older – be the subject of a £105m move to Arsenal. Chelsea don’t wish to go higher than £80m for Caicedo. (The Guardian)
West Ham are showing interest in Torino centre-back, Perr Schuurs. The Dutchman, 23, is valued by Torino at €40m. (Gianluca Di Marzio)
TOTTENHAM, PERISIC CONTRACT TERMINATION ADDRESSED
There are “no concrete/official indications” Tottenham’s Ivan Perisic will have his contract terminated one year early to return to Croatia with Hajduk Split despite reports to the contrary. (Fabrizio Romano)
Southampton are close to signing Man City midfielder Shea Charles to the tune of £9m. City will insert both a buy-back and sell-on clause into the deal. (Fabrizio Romano)
Arsenal or Liverpool will have to pay the full £50m asking price if they’re to sign Southampton’s Romeo Lavia. The Saints are holding firm on their price tag amid concrete interest. (Sky Sports News)
Southampton striker Paul Onuachu is being monitored by Belgian side Genk. Onuachu plundered 85 goals in 134 matches for Genk between 2019-23, though failed to replicate that form with the Saints. (Het Nieuwsblad)
Paul Pogba’s agent, Rafael Pimenta, recently held an ‘intense’ meeting with her client over the prospect of moving to Saudi Arabia. If the Juventus midfielder leaves, his replacement in Turin would be Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
MAN UTD IN CONTENTION FOR FRENCH STRIKER
Man Utd remain in contention to sign Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani. Though amid strong interest from PSG, United must act quickly. (BILD)
Xabi Alonso is the early favourite to succeed Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager in 2024. Ancelotti is expected to depart after agreeing to become the next manager of Brazil and Alonso is impressing Real chiefs with his stint at Bayer Leverkusen. (BILD)
Real Betis are in ‘advanced negotiations’ over a deal worth between £7m-£10m for Wolves winger Daniel Podence. (Sport Witness)
Leeds Utd have struck an agreement to sign Aberdeen’s Lewis Pirie who scored 51 goals for club and country last season. (Fabrizio Romano)
Aston Villa and Leander Dendoncker are converging on the view an exit is the best course of action for all involved this summer. (FootMercato)