Tottenham have begun laying the groundwork for a possible €60 million move for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, according to a fresh report out of France.
The claim comes via L’Équipe, which reports that Spurs have opened discussions over a transfer worth €60m for the USMNT forward. The report was picked up more widely via Yahoo Sports, which added that Balogun is now represented by Jorge Mendes and that Newcastle have also shown interest, though Spurs are said to have taken the lead.
Nineteen goals and a World Cup summer
Balogun scored 19 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions for Monaco last season, per the report, and followed that up with eye-catching performances at this summer’s World Cup. He’s contracted to Monaco until June 2028, which gives the Ligue 1 club leverage to hold out for their asking price if they choose to.
Any departure would reportedly ease the pressure on Monaco to sell other assets, with Lamine Camara’s future no longer seen as an urgent sale according to the same report – useful context for why the French club might be willing to talk at all.
Why Spurs are looking
Dominic Solanke’s struggles in front of goal are cited as part of the rationale, with De Zerbi said to be keen to bring a forward back to the Premier League who feels he still has unfinished business here after limited game time at Arsenal. It’s the kind of move that would fit the pattern De Zerbi has hinted at when discussing a major attacking addition, and it lines up with wider questions over how much Spurs are prepared to spend this window.
Monaco head coach Filipe Luis has acknowledged that offers were always likely given Balogun’s season and World Cup form, while stressing he’d be happy to keep the striker if he stays, per comments carried in the same reporting.
What happens next
Spurs now have to decide whether €60m is a price worth meeting or whether they look elsewhere, particularly with their striker options already in flux. Groundwork is one thing; getting Monaco to actually sell before the window shuts is another matter entirely.
