Chelsea are interested in signing Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun this summer, reports Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth.
The Stamford Bridge club are yet to table a bid for the United States international, but the interest is real and an offer is expected soon.
Chelsea new manager Mauricio Pochettino, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur, wants to bolster his attack and appears to have identified the Arsenal forward as a transfer target.
The 22-year-old spent last season on loan in Ligue 1 with Reims, bagging 22 goals across all competitions and attracting suitors across Europe as a result.
AS Monaco and Inter Milan have also been linked with Balogun, and Chelsea have now joined them in the race.
The Gunners want £50 million for the Hale End academy graduate, and while Monaco and Inter have struggled to meet their demands, the Blues are unlikely to have that problem given their financial strengths.
They have spent £356m on nine players so far this summer but are not done yet, and a long-term injury to French forward Christopher Nkunku is forcing them to move for another forward.
Balogun wants to leave Arsenal as he is behind Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in the pecking order and is not in the plans of manager Mikel Arteta, and a move to Chelsea could appeal to him.
Crystal Palace and recently Fulham have also been linked with an interest in the former England youth international, but joining the Blues could be more attractive to Balogun as he would get regular chances to challenge for major silverware.
Whether the Gunners are keen on doing business with Chelsea remains to be seen as allowing the youngster to join them will equate to Arsenal strengthening one of their challengers for the title, but a huge offer from the Blues could force their hands, and it will be intriguing to see where Balogun ends up this summer.
