Tottenham Hotspur need to find a new solution at the striker position this summer transfer window, and they are running out of time to make a signing. There are currently no concrete links to a new No. 9 with players falling off the radar rapidly, and the only real player spotlighted right now is Liverpool left winger Cody Gakpo as a potential center forward conversion with Roberto De Zerbi reportedly smitten with the player's skill set.
Although Fabrizio Romano doused cold water on the links, Monaco star Folarin Balogun is reportedly on the Tottenham transfer radar with an expected price tag of 60 million euros after breaking out as one of the stars of the 2026 World Cup tournament. Balogun was the most impressive player on the USMNT, shining in their best games, including the opener against Paraguay, and showing a lot more threat than the team's biggest name, AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic.
Balogun is not a flash in the pan either. He has been one of the top strikers in Ligue 1 for a few seasons now, working his way up as a marksman for Stade de Reims to one of the faces of Monaco, who are consistently among the top teams in the French league.
Folarin Balogun is an upgrade but not a massive one
The problem is that Balogun isn't a whole lot better that what Tottenham Hotspur have now. Even in an easier league and on a better team, Balogun's 2025/26 production was not much higher than the veteran Richarlison's, as he scored 13 goals to Richy's 11. Now, Balogun did once have an incredible 21 goals for Reims that really flew under the radar, but if we are comparing past accomplishments, Richy can say he has done more in his career, too.
Another issue is price tag. The market is bloated these days, so this problem is not exclusive to Folarin Balogun by any means. But it is still jarring to see 60 million euros quoted for a 25 year old striker coming off a 13 goal season in Ligue 1, which is pretty underwhelming. Tottenham Hotspur would have to pay potentially as much for him as they would for a former Serie A scoring champion in Victor Osimhen, for example.
Tottenham paid around this much for Richarlison from Everton, and while Richy was a bit older at the time of his move, he was also better and a proven Premier League star. Now, Balogun can do a lot of what Richy can do in terms of destabilizing defenses with speed and running. Balogun has great work rate, and he can bring goals, including some great ones, too. He may not have the acrobatic skills of Richy, but he is a better dribbler at this stage of his career and scores more goals.
Balogun is younger and more productive, but he's also not that much better than Richarlison. And with 13 goals in Ligue 1, his production doesn't scream world class Premier League striker, which is what Tottenham should be aiming for. While Balogun is an upgrade on Richy, that's all he is for Spurs - a better version of the striker they already have.
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