Barcelona are reassessing their attacking options following Robert Lewandowski’s departure and are now prioritizing a move for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, according to reports. The club had initially pursued Marcus Rashford on loan, with a €30 million buyout clause, but are now facing a stalemate with Manchester United who are demanding the full fee be met.
Rashford’s versatility, capable of playing across the front line, has not been enough to convince Barcelona to finalize a deal, particularly with competition for his preferred left-wing position from Raphinha and Anthony Gordon. The Catalan club are now specifically seeking a dedicated centre-forward to fill the void left by Lewandowski, who departed at the end of his contract.
Balogun, 24, impressed for the United States in their recent 4-1 victory over Paraguay, scoring twice and demonstrating a goalscoring form that has caught the attention of Barcelona’s scouting network. Data analytics firm SciSports has given Balogun a Club Fit score of 80 with Barcelona, indicating a strong alignment between his playing style, potential development, and the club’s needs.
Former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Friedel told Goal that Balogun “is capable of playing in a big club and handling the pressure.” The American forward enjoyed an eight-game scoring streak in Ligue 1 last season, matching Kylian Mbappe for the longest run in Europe’s top five leagues. His Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently stands at €23.8 million, making him financially accessible for Barcelona, and his wages are considerably lower than Rashford’s.
While Balogun is not currently viewed as a direct replacement for Lewandowski, he is considered a viable rotation option. Barcelona have also been linked with more expensive targets like Julian Alvarez, but a move for the Argentinian appears unlikely due to Atletico Madrid’s firm stance. Chelsea’s Joao Pedro is another potential target, but proving difficult to acquire. A move for Balogun would also allow Barcelona to further penetrate the lucrative US soccer market.
Barcelona may revisit the possibility of signing Rashford, but Balogun presents a compelling alternative, offering a similar profile to Ferran Torres and a potentially significant return on investment.
