FC Barcelona has entered a frantic race in the final stretch of the transfer window, prioritizing the controversial American striker Folarin Balogun to replace the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres ahead of the 2026/2027 season.
The French newspaper "L'Équipe" revealed that the Catalan club has shown serious interest in the 25-year-old Monaco forward, entering direct competition with Tottenham and Aston Villa, who have been monitoring the player for some time.
This move comes after sporting director Deco made the center-forward position a top priority, especially with negotiations to sign Julián Álvarez stalling and just over ten days remaining until the transfer window closes on September 1, Barcelona has expanded its list of candidates under manager Hansi Flick.
Balogun is making a strong case for himself following an exceptional season with Monaco, finishing as one of the team's standout stars with 19 goals in 43 matches across all competitions. He is under contract with the French club until June 2028, meaning Monaco is under no obligation to sell him except for a substantial fee.
The American striker's stock has risen significantly after his impressive performance at the 2026 World Cup, held on home soil, where he was the United States' top scorer with three goals in four matches, leading Mauricio Pochettino's side to the Round of 16 before a 4-1 defeat to Belgium.
It was not just his performance that put him in the spotlight, but also the major controversy surrounding him, following a contentious decision that allowed him to play in the Round of 16 despite being suspended, after an intervention by US President Donald Trump, which sparked widespread anger in football circles.
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Regarding transfer moves, Monaco is aware that interest in the player will increase in the final days. Although he was absent for the team's last match against Górnik Zabrze in the first leg of the Conference League qualifiers, the club included him in their UEFA list, which could impact any potential deal.
The decision now rests with Barcelona, which must quickly determine its stance, either by shifting its focus to a formal offer to sign the most controversial striker of the World Cup, or by continuing to search for other options to complete the squad.
