USA forward Folarin Balogun. Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

Arsenal's American duo may be on the move

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated Aug 9, 2023 2:03 PM ET

Arsenal is on a mission to tighten and strengthen its squad after finishing second in the Premier League last season.

The London-based club has made several important signings in the offseason, from Kai Havertz on offense to Declan Rice in the midfield and Jurrien Timber on defense.

But as a new Premier League season approaches, Arsenal is also starting to sell off players it deems superfluous--and two of them are of great interest to American soccer fans.

The first, goalkeeper Matt Turner, is officially moving to Nottingham Forest.

"It's a great challenge and a great step in my career," Turner said Wednesday morning of the move. "I'm grateful to be here and I can't wait to get things started."

#NFFC is delighted to announce the signing of @USMNT international Matt Turner
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 9, 2023

Turner's move to Forest is great for him and for fans of the USMNT. It guarantees Turner playing time and ensures he'll be match fit for upcoming national team games. With Arsenal, Turner was merely a backup to English goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

But Turner isn't the only American Arsenal player on the move. Recent USMNT addition Folarin Balogun is also in discussions to leave the club, with his price optimistically set around $64 million.

Do you agree? #AFC #Arsenal #Balogun pic.twitter.com/UAsrzpya1h
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) August 2, 2023

Balogun is one of the most exciting young strikers on the planet, and while he's been an Arsenal player for several seasons, he spent last year on loan in the French league at Reims, where he scored 21 goals.

AS Monaco and Inter Milan are both interested in Balogun, and with a bidding war looming, Arsenal appear ready to let him go.

If he moves to Monaco, he'll continue his stellar performance in the French league. But if he moves to Inter Milan, he'll lead the nerazzurri front line while another American--Christian Pulisic--does the same across town at AC Milan.

The twin American strikers leading rival Italian teams could be a fascinating spectacle for a league that's long hoped to break into the United States viewing market.

So far, Arsenal has rejected all bids for Balogun and is holding out for a larger figure. The transfer window will officially close on Friday, September 1, so Arsenal must make its decision by then.

Alyssa Clang

Alyssa is a Boston-born Californian with a passion for global sport. She can yell about misplaced soccer passes in five languages and rattle off the turns of Silverstone in her sleep. You can find her dormant Twitter account at @alyssaclang, but honestly, you’re probably better off finding her here

More must-reads: