Arsenal are playing hardball with Monaco over the sale of Folarin Balogun after West Ham made their interest known in the in-demand striker.

Following an impressive season on loan with Stade Reims the previous year, Balogun is drawing a lot of interest from teams looking to sign him. One of the hottest properties on the market right now, the 22-year-old scored 22 goals in 39 games with Reims.

Arsenal is keen to sell despite losing Gabriel Jesus to knee surgery, but they are not pressing to make a deal. Since Balogun is keen to play for the first team and has interest from Monaco, West Ham, Inter Milan, and AC Milan, he is content to leave north London this summer.

After Breel Embolo sustained a long-term injury, Monaco is searching for a striker, although their initial approach has been delayed. The Arsenals have reportedly rejected their opening offer of €40 million (£34 million), since they are aware the US international is worth more than £40 million in this market.

Balogun and Monaco have apparently reached a “agreement in principle,” and Monaco has reportedly made the striker’s acquisition their top priority. West Ham has, according to The Independent, emerged as a respectable contender.

With the £105 million they received from Arsenal in exchange for Declan Rice, the Hammers are flush and actively pursuing deals. With Manchester United, David Moyes’ team has agreed to pay Harry Maguire £30 million. They are also close to signing Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse and Ajax’s Edson Alvarez.

Balogun is behind Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in the pecking order at Arsenal, while Mikel Arteta chose to play Kai Havertz as a false No9 in the Community Shield on Sunday. He has been open with his desire to start with regularity and is open to a move.

“I obviously went away and the point was to prove I could play first team football. I feel I was able to do that and show people I can play at that level,” he said while on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States last month.

“I think with me coming back it’s not really much of a situation where I think I need to try extra hard to prove something, I think it’s a decision that’s not really with me. Whatever happens I’m cool with it.”

The young striker’s preference had been to go to one of the Milan clubs, with Internazionale looking likeliest, but the Champions League finalists cannot get close to the fee.