Fulham target Arsenal’s Bagolun as Mitrovic replacement

Fulham have identified Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun as an ideal replacement for Saudi-bound Aleksandar Mitrovic, the Evening Standard reports.

Balogun is determined to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer in search of regular first-team minutes.

He is not in Mikel Arteta’s plans for the season, and the ex-England under-21 international striker has rejected the chance to head out on another loan spell.

Balogun spent the previous campaign on loan at Stade Reims, where he took the French top flight by storm, demonstrating his goalscoring prowess.

Despite featuring for a mid-table side, the United States international was a force to be reckoned with, clocking 21 goals in 37 league outings.

However, his exploits in France did little to help his cause back at his boyhood club, where he still isn’t viewed as part of Arteta’s long-term project.

Balogun is behind Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, and Leandro Trossard in the striking department. But Arsenal are aware of his potential, evidenced by their valuation for the USMNT striker.

Fulham could offer Balogun a way out of the Emirates without leaving London, but they will have to match Arsenal’s £50 million asking price.

While the Cottagers plan to negotiate a much lesser fee for the striker, they still have to make a decision on Mitrovic before launching a move for his replacement.

Fulham have an offer from Saudi heavyweights Al Hilal worth £46m, but they are yet to respond despite the proposal landing on their desk two days ago.

They appear to be assessing their options on the market over a potential replacement before sanctioning Mitrovic’s departure.

The Cottagers have already signed Raul Jiminez from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer, but the Mexican is in decline and unlikely to guarantee more than ten goals this season.

Mitrovic is pushing to join the Riyadh giants, who have promised to triple his current £120,000-a-week salary at Craven Cottage.

Fulham could spend the bulk of the proceeds from Mitrovic’s departure on Balogun, but they will face competition from AS Monaco, who are determined to take the striker back to the French top flight.