With Arsenal bringing in Chelsea midfielder Xaviers in the summer transfer window, the team is also starting to consider a "counterattack" strategy. It is rumored that they may use striker Balogun as a bargaining chip to Chelsea. The Daily Mail reported that Chelsea's newest star, Nicholas Nicholson, has suffered a serious injury and is expected to be out of action for at least four months, and that manager Putrajit Tannu is eager to sign Balogun to solve the problem.
Arsenal have invested more than £200 million (about HK$2 billion) in reinforcements this summer, and coach Adidas is under financial pressure and has to consider selling some of his players to raise funds. Balogun is seen as one of the players most likely to be transferred. Inter Milan had expressed interest in the 22-year-old American international, however, due to the Arsenal's demand for a transfer fee of up to 50 million pounds (HK$500 million), Inter Milan, which is in a poor financial situation, eventually gave up on the purchase. In contrast, Chelsea are financially strong and are expected to meet Arsenal's transfer request. It was revealed that the two teams have already started negotiations.
