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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly targeting former Arsenal academy product and current U.S. men's national team forward Folarin Balogun, according to reports emerging from France.
Balogun attracted significant attention this summer at the 2026 World Cup, netting three goals across four outings for the United States. He also found himself at the center of controversy after U.S. President Donald Trump stepped in to lift the suspension stemming from his round of 32 red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Just as the storm appeared to be dying down, Balogun's name has resurfaced in the headlines—though this time for more welcome reasons. French publication L'Équipe reports that Spurs "have laid the groundwork" for talks over a potential move for the 25-year-old.
The French outlet suggests Balogun, who is contracted to Monaco until 2028, could command a transfer fee of around $69.3 million (£51.3 million) if a deal comes to fruition. With Randal Kolo Muani returning to Juventus following the expiry of his loan at Tottenham, Roberto De Zerbi's squad is seeking further attacking options to complement the injury-prone pair of Dominic Solanke and Richarlison.
Balogun's Arsenal Roots Are Deep
Should Balogun complete a move from Monaco to Tottenham, it would mark his second spell in the Premier League—and in north London—having previously spent more than 12 years at Arsenal. The forward joined the Gunners' academy at the age of eight and spent the following decade progressing through the ranks toward the first team.
Balogun eventually earned his senior debut in 2020–21, making six first-team appearances and contributing two goals and one assist. Five of those outings came in the Europa League, with the remaining one coming in the Carabao Cup.
The American had to wait until the 2021–22 campaign to make his Premier League bow. Balogun featured in two league games and two Carabao Cup matches before being sent on loan to Middlesbrough, where he struggled to make an impression, managing just three goals in 21 appearances.
Consequently, Balogun was loaned out to Reims for the 2022–23 season, before securing a permanent move to Monaco ahead of 2023–24. He previously acknowledged the departure was "out of [his] hands" in comments to ESPN, attributing it to "people higher up" at the club "making decisions" about his future.
On the surface at least, there appeared to be no hard feelings—but things could certainly sour if Balogun returns to the English top flight wearing the colors of Arsenal's fiercest rivals.
Why Potential Spurs Move Is a Massive Risk
There are numerous ways a return to north London could go wrong for Balogun, and not solely because Arsenal supporters would quickly turn against him. The striker would undoubtedly face a significant adjustment moving from Ligue 1 to the Premier League.
Balogun managed only two appearances in the English top flight despite his lengthy tenure at Arsenal, and the league has since grown even more physical and saturated with high-profile signings. Settling-in struggles are commonplace for new arrivals—as evidenced by Florian Wirtz at Liverpool last season—and the scrutiny that accompanies playing for a 'big six' club makes the transition considerably harder.
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Balogun would also risk derailing a career that is currently thriving in France. The 25-year-old is coming off a standout campaign at Monaco, in which he scored 19 goals in 43 appearances—form that earned him the starting striker role in the USMNT's attack this summer.
If he joins Spurs and fails to deliver, he risks slipping down Mauricio Pochettino's pecking order, with Ricardo Pepi waiting in the wings to claim the USMNT's primary striking role. A single poor club season can have serious repercussions on an international career, as Trent Alexander-Arnold discovered when he was left out of England's squad entirely this summer.
There is also the matter of Tottenham enduring back-to-back dreadful seasons, finishing 17th in the Premier League on both occasions. While De Zerbi is overseeing something of a squad rebuild this summer—bringing in the likes of Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, and Andy Robertson, among others—the club is far from an ideal environment for Balogun, who would be competing alongside a host of new arrivals to carve out his place.