Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are both stepping up their pursuit of AS Monaco forward Folarin Balogun as the Premier League rivals look to bolster their attacking ranks this summer.
The American striker has become an increasingly hot commodity following another strong season in Ligue 1. Newcastle have had him on their radar for a while, but Tottenham have now thrown their hat in the ring and appear to be moving fast to explore bringing him back to England.
According to L’Equipe, Spurs have developed serious interest in the Monaco man and are reportedly ready to table an offer worth around €60million as Roberto De Zerbi looks to add extra punch to his frontline. That willingness to spend could put Tottenham ahead of Newcastle and other suitors who have been tracking the situation. Balogun, who came through Arsenal’s academy before joining Monaco for roughly €30million in August 2023, has continued to develop into a key attacking threat since his move to France.
Across 91 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, Balogun has racked up 31 goals and 13 assists, with last season standing out in particular — 19 goals and five assists that caught the eye of several clubs across Europe, Newcastle among them. The Magpies had been impressed by his form earlier in the year and were weighing him up as a potential attacking target, but Tottenham’s push now threatens to overtake their long-standing interest.
Reports indicate Spurs have already made contact with Monaco, with talks over a possible transfer now underway. It’s a notable step for Tottenham, who are on the hunt for more attacking depth, with De Zerbi keen on added competition up front. A €60million deal would represent a big outlay, but the club may view Balogun as a long-term addition rather than a quick fix, banking on his pace, movement and finishing to fit De Zerbi’s system.
Adding another layer to the story is Balogun’s recent switch in representation — he’s now with Jorge Mendes, one of the most powerful agents in the game and someone with existing ties to Tottenham, having played a role in Mateus Fernandes’ move to the club in July. That relationship could work in Spurs’ favour as talks develop, though nothing is guaranteed. Newcastle remain very much in the running, and other clubs could still join the race if Monaco decide to let him go.
The Magpies, also on the lookout for fresh attacking options, see plenty to like in Balogun given his experience in both the Premier League and Ligue 1. With Tottenham upping the pressure, Newcastle may need to act quickly to avoid missing out on one of their top targets. There’s no indication yet of which club Balogun himself favours, nor confirmation he’s actively angling for a return to England — but given his history in the country and ambitions to keep progressing at the top level, a Premier League switch would likely appeal.
Tottenham and Newcastle’s chase for Balogun could turn into one of the summer’s more compelling transfer battles, especially if both clubs are willing to match Monaco’s valuation. For now, Spurs seem to have the early initiative after making contact, but Newcastle haven’t been shaken off — and with negotiations reportedly underway, the next few weeks could decide where the striker ends up.
