Chelsea interested in USMNT superstar

With the World Cup group stages having come to an end, attention now turns to the knockouts with the round of 32 beginning on Sunday evening. 

Co-hosts Canada will face surprise package South Africa in the first tie, and Jesse Marsch’s side will also become the first host team to play a game outside of their home country when they take to the field in Los Angeles, California.

Fellow co-hosts Mexico will face South American side Ecuador in the last 32, while the US will play against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ahead of that game, it has emerged that one member of the USMNT is on the radar of a Premier League club.

As per CaughtOffside, Chelsea have emerged as surprise contenders to sign Monaco striker Folarin Balogun.

Balogun has scored twice at the World Cup this summer (Photo: SIPA/Alamy)

The ex-Arsenal man has impressed for Mauricio Pochettino’s side at the World Cup so far, scoring twice in their 4-1 win over Paraguay in the first round of group stages games, before also providing an assist in a comfortable 2-0 win against Australia.

According to the report, Chelsea have identified the 24-year-old as a player that could bolster Xabi Alonso’s squad as they search for attacking reinforcements.

Balogun joined Monaco from fellow Arsenal in 2023, having impressed during loan spells with fellow French side Reims.

Since moving to Monaco, the forward has scored 31 goals in 91 games for the club across all competitions.

On the international stage, Balogun represented England at various age group levels before switching his allegiance to the US in 2023, making his debut in a 3-0 win over Mexico in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Balogun – who was eligible to represent the US as he was born in New York City – is said to have informed current club Monaco this he intends to depart and embark on a new challenge.

The report suggests that the Ligue 1 side have set a valuation of around £45 million for the American, who has two years remaining on his current contract.