Transfer Talk: RB Leipzig eye Florian Balogun as replacement if Christopher Nkunku joins Chelsea

Posted Wednesday, April 12, 2023 by ESPN

Folarin Balogun, who has impressed on loan at Stade de Reims this season from Arsenal, is now on RB Leipzig's shortlist as they look to sign a replacement for Christopher Nkunku, according Florian Plettenberg.

Nkunku has long been expected to join Chelsea in the summer, with the 25-year-old having shown his quality this term by recording 17 goals and five assists in 27 matches across all competitions despite sustaining an injury that kept from representing France at the World Cup.

Balogun has also displayed what he can do in front of goal, scoring 19 Ligue 1 goals this term, meaning there has been plenty of interest in the 21-year-old from across Europe. One thing that would go in Balogun's favour regarding Leipzig is that his transfer price could be lower than Lille star Jonathan David, who has also been linked with the Bundesliga side.

There has also been intrigue over which national side Balogun could represent. Born in New York, he is eligible to play for the United States and visited Orlando during the international break after dropping out of England U21s' latest squad due to injury.

In addition to Balogun's pending decision at the international level, there will be plenty of questions to answer regarding his future at club level once the current campaign ends, with it still being a possibility that he could return to Arsenal.

- With sources telling ESPN that Liverpool have switched their focus from signing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham this summer, The Athletic reported that the Anfield side will instead look at such as Chelsea's Mason Mount, Brighton & Hove Albion duo Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister and Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch.

- Brighton are hoping that striker Evan Ferguson will sign a new contract despite his current deal running until the summer of 2026, according to the Daily Mail. This comes amid interest from the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Chelsea. Even with the calibre of club looking at the 18-year-old, Brighton expect him to grow with them.

- Barcelona would rather let Ansu Fati leave in the summer than see Ferran Torres or Raphinha depart Camp Nou, reports Diario Sport, who add that offloading the 20-year-old would bring in far more funds. They also want to let players leave who have played fewer minutes this season, and Fati has only managed 1,524 so far this term. On the contrary, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri are all seen as untouchable in the transfer market.

- Juventus are keen to sign Lyon forward Rayan Cherki, according to Calciomercato. The 19-year-old's current contract runs until 2024 but has the option for another season, which could block a move for the Bianconeri, who are aiming to bring in young talents.

- While various clubs are looking at Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, whose contract expires at the end of the season, Le10Sport have suggested that Eintracht Frankfurt are particularly interested in the 24-year-old and have sent him a contract offer. Even so, no agreement has been reached with the two parties currently far apart in their expectations.