Tottenham Pursue Folarin Balogun as Vlahovic Nears Besiktas Move

Tottenham have stepped up their hunt for a new No.9, opening talks with Monaco over a deal for USA striker Folarin Balogun as another long-term target, Dusan Vlahovic, closes in on a move to Besiktas.

De Zerbi’s rebuild in north London has, until now, been about everything but the man at the tip of the attack. Spurs have poured more than £230million into reinforcing the defence and midfield, reshaping the spine of the side before turning to the one position that has defined the club for a generation.

Now the clock is ticking towards the September 1 deadline, and the search up front can no longer wait.

Balogun talks gather pace

An ankle injury for Dominic Solanke, who missed the friendly draw with Getafe at the weekend, has sharpened minds. With Solanke sidelined and Richarlison the only fit senior centre-forward – and already signalling he is ready to move on – Tottenham have been forced into action.

The move has taken them back to a familiar postcode.

According to L’Equipe, Spurs have opened negotiations with Monaco “in recent hours” for Balogun and have already laid the foundations for a deal worth around €60m (£51.2m). The 25-year-old, who left Arsenal for Monaco in a £35m switch three years ago, could yet find himself back in north London, this time in white rather than red.

Balogun has hit 31 goals in 91 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, form that has kept him on the radar of clubs across Europe. His profile grew again this summer at the World Cup, where he scored three times in four games for the United States. His tournament was not without drama: he was at the centre of a red-card controversy that was ultimately overturned, with the suspension lifted after intervention from Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, clearing him to play in the last-16 defeat to Belgium.

Tottenham are not alone in the chase. Newcastle United, who were already battling Sunderland for the striker’s signature earlier in the summer, have registered their interest again, while clubs in Spain are also monitoring the situation. Spurs, though, are trying to move first, hoping decisive early talks can give them an edge in a crowded field.

For De Zerbi, Balogun would offer a blend of pace, penalty-box movement and a growing track record on the international stage. For Tottenham, he would represent a significant investment in a player still short of his peak years, but one who has already shown he can shoulder the responsibility of leading the line.

Vlahovic turns towards Turkey

While Spurs push for Balogun, one of their other marquee options appears to be slipping away.

Dusan Vlahovic, long admired in north London and a serious target during Antonio Conte’s tenure, is now on the verge of joining Besiktas. Reports in Turkey and Italy state that the former Juventus forward and his camp have given an initial green light to a three-year contract worth €10m per season.

The agreement is said to be verbal at this stage, with Vlahovic now needing to sign off the paperwork from a legal standpoint. Once that is done, the Serbia international could be on a plane to Istanbul within 48 hours.

Tottenham’s interest in Vlahovic did not end with Conte. De Zerbi is understood to have been keen on the 26-year-old last month, seeing him as a proven, penalty-box predator to spearhead his attack. Besiktas, though, have pushed hard, and the latest improved offer from the Turkish giants is described as decisive, leaving the move “virtually done”.

For Spurs, it closes one door just as another begins to open.

With Vlahovic seemingly bound for Istanbul and Solanke nursing an ankle problem, the pressure on Tottenham to land a striker before the window shuts has intensified. Balogun has emerged as the leading name on the list. The fee is heavy, the competition real, but the need is obvious.

If Spurs want a new No.9 to define this new era, they may have to move as ruthlessly off the pitch as they expect their next centre-forward to be inside the box.