Arsenal have turned down a formal offer from AS Monaco for Folarin Balogun, according to The Athletic.
The Gunners rejected an opening verbal proposal for the USMNT international following a pre-season friendly between the clubs last week.
A written bid has now also been knocked back, although Monaco’s pursuit of Balogun, 22, continues. The Ligue 1 side’s sporting director, Thiago Scuro, has a strong relationship with Edu, his opposite number at Arsenal.
Monaco are looking for a striker after the news that Switzerland international Breel Embolo sustained an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in training and will be out of action for “several months”.
Inter Milan are another interested party but it is unclear if they have the budget to make an acceptable approach.
Balogun spent last season on loan from Arsenal in France with Stade Reims, scoring 21 Ligue 1 goals in 37 appearances.
