Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly accelerating a move to sign Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, but they have a better option available to them right in front of their eyes in the Premier League.

In terms of their defence and midfield, Tottenham are ready to go ahead of the new season, but Roberto De Zerbi is yet to add the attacking upgrades he wants with less than a fortnight to go until they kick off their Premier League campaign with a trip to Brentford.

According to GMS sources, Spurs want to bring both Savinho and Cody Gakpo in from Manchester City and Liverpool respectively, but they are unlikely to make progress on those deals until their rivals have secured replacements.

De Zerbi suggested in recent weeks that there could be two or three more arrivals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, including the aforementioned duo, with the possibility of a striker also joining.

While any move could depend on Richarlison leaving, L’Equipe claimed on Tuesday night that the north London club are now accelerating a £51m move to sign the USA international.

Romano: ‘Nothing Concrete’ on Balogun Joining Tottenham

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Kiyoshi Mio

Responding to the rumours on Wednesday morning, Fabrizio Romano has denied that Spurs are ramping up their interest in the 25-year-old former Arsenal striker.

The Italian journalist says that while Saudi clubs and Galatasaray have contacted Monaco over the conditions of a deal, there is ‘nothing concrete’ in links with Tottenham.

Balogun is being monitored by a number of clubs across Europe following an outstanding 2025-26 campaign which saw him score 19 goals for the Ligue 1 outfit, before netting a further three for his country as they hosted the 2026 World Cup.

The striker isn’t the only one where there is a deal to be done if Tottenham want to do it, according to a top Spurs source on X, with Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta another option.

Why Tottenham Must Sign Jean-Philippe Mateta Instead

via Reuters

A move for Balogun would seem risky for a few reasons, not least the fact that he is an ex-Arsenal player who fans could turn on quickly should he get off to a bad start.

De Zerbi has also clearly made having Premier League experience a key prerequisite for his summer targets, with all six arrivals so far having plenty of it, with Savinho and Gakpo also fitting that criteria.

Balogun has made two English top flight appearances in his career, which is in stark contrast to Mateta’s record at this level.

The Frenchman has been on the scene for so long it may be a surprise that he has only just celebrated his 29th birthday, but he still has plenty to offer to a club like Tottenham.

He is tall, he is strong and, most importantly, he has shown he is a clinical finisher in the box, as shown by 12 goals in 32 Premier League appearances for the Eagles last term.

Opta have described him as being ‘among Europe’s best strikers’ and it isn’t hard to see why, with Wayne Rooney one of the pundits who have waxed lyrical about him in recent years.

With less than one year remaining on his contract, there will also be an expectation that the 29-year-old will be a much cheaper option than the £51m fee mooted for Balogun, which could prove to be a bargain – especially in the short-term, as De Zerbi looks for immediate success.

Luis Enrique has made a surprising pick for this year’s Ballon d’Or and snubbed the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Rodri.

The Paris Saint-Germain boss has coached all three players during his managerial career, and the trio is among the favorites to win the prestigious award. His time working with Messi at Barcelona was inevitably hugely successful, picking up nine trophies, including a historic continental treble.

Mbappe‘s last season at PSG came under Enrique, and he bagged 44 goals and 10 assists in 48 games before heading to Real Madrid. Before the Spaniard took the reins at the Parc des Princes, he spent a brief spell in charge of Spain’s national team, and he often turned to Rodri in midfield.

The trio were standout performers at this summer’s World Cup, with Rodri winning the Golden Ball after captaining his country to glory. Mbappe won the Golden Boot as France finished fourth, and Messi agonisingly missed out on a second World Cup in a row despite rolling back the years with inspired performances.

Luis Enrique Makes Surprising Ballon d’Or Pick

The current holder of the Ballon d’Or is Ousmane Dembele, who has been a talisman under Enrique. The French winger played a key role in PSG’s history-making 2025-26 season, helping them win a joint-record five trophies.

Enrique thinks Dembele should hand the award over to his PSG teammate when the ceremony takes place in London on October 26th. He told Spanish newspaper SPORT: “(Fabian Ruiz) won the World Cup, the European Championship two years ago, the Champions League twice in a row, and the Nations League… the Ballon d’Or! The Ballon d’Or for sure!”

Fabian Ruiz has been one of the biggest improvements at PSG since Enrique’s appointment back in July 2023. He is one of the Spanish coach’s favourites, pulling the strings in the middle of the park alongside Vitinha and Joao Neves.

Enrique’s captain Marquinhos agreed with his manager, adding: “All that is missing is the Ballon d’Or, that’s it.”

REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth

Ruiz has been sweeping up trophies in recent years and last season he won the Ligue 1 title, the Champions League, the Intercontinental Cup, and the Trophee des Champions. With Spain, he became a world champion, adding to the European Championship he won back in 2024.

Now 30, the midfielder is starting to earn recognition for his exploits in the French capital and on the international stage. His club awarded him a new three-year contract earlier this summer, which includes the option to extend for a further year.

Will Fabian Ruiz Win The Ballon d’Or?

REUTERS/Andrew Boyers

Ruiz isn’t among the frontrunners to win the Ballon d’Or despite Enrique’s glowing endorsement of the Spanish star. While he is enjoying consistent trophy success, he isn’t quite the beating heart of the PSG team.

Stats courtesy of Transfermarkt – correct as of 12/08/2026

Nor the Spain side, who won a second World Cup this summer, as he came in and out of Luis de la Fuente’s team. He’s undoubtedly one of the most highly-admired midfielders in world football but if a La Roja star is to win the award,, it will likely be Rodri or Lamine Yamal.

Others in contention include Harry Kane, who broke goalscoring records for Bayern Munich en route to another Bundesliga win. Messi is in with a shout of winning a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or, although playing in the MLS will be factored in.

Tottenham are now said to have been given the green light to sign former Arsenal star Folarin Balogun. Spurs are hoping to add a couple of forwards to their record-spending summer, having so far concentrated on bolstering their defence and midfield.

Roberto De Zerbi has already spent £237million on new recruits, with Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke taking up much of that spend. But he is yet to add any forwards, and that is expected to change over the coming weeks.

Tottenham are said to be prioritising a move for a winger currently, but they could yet add another striker, as long as the right deal comes up, or if they can shift one of their current frontmen.

According to new reports, Monaco and USMNT World Cup star Balogun is of interest, and the player is said to have approved a move, despite having come up through the ranks at Arsenal. Balogun grew up in London but ended up playing for the US due to being born Stateside.

Footmercato journalist Santi Aouna posted on X: “Folarin Balogun has given his green light to join Tottenham. As revealed on @footmercato, the Monaco striker is the Spurs’ priority. No official offer yet, but discussions are progressing between the various parties.”

Balogun has scored 24 goals in 72 league games for Monaco, and he scored three goals in five games as USMNT reached the World Cup Round of 16. Of course, he was notably at the centre of a controversy that saw him sent off and then dodge a suspension after a supposed Donald Trump interference.

The 25-year-old didn’t have a say in that, though, in his defence, and he will be looking to build on his impressive World Cup form at club level this coming season. Spurs are reportedly hoping that will be in North London, and they will reportedly have to pay €60million to get the deal done, which works out as £51.2million.

The last five players to play for both Arsenal and Tottenham

• Emmanuel Adebayor — Arsenal (2006–09), Tottenham (2011–15)
• William Gallas — Arsenal (2006–10), Tottenham (2010–13)
• David Bentley — Arsenal (2004), Tottenham (2008–11)
• Sol Campbell — Tottenham (1992–2001), Arsenal (2001–06, 2010)
• Rohan Ricketts — Arsenal (2001–02), Tottenham (2002–05)

What Spurs can expect from Balogun

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Balogon has received high praise over recent times, having established himself as a goalscorer for club and country. USMNT teammate Weston McKennie has said: “Obviously he’s a striker who’s very versatile. He can hurt you on the dribble, hurt you in behind, he’s a clinical finisher.” Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic has described him as ‘insane’.

Back in 2023, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “He’s got something special. That’s why we gave him a long-term contract and have faith in him, and give him the long period that he’s having now, because the period he’s having now is different to the one before at Middlesbrough.”