Serie A giants Inter Milan have dropped out of the race to sign USMNT star forward Folarin Balogun from Arsenal this summer.

The cash-strapped Italians have reportedly gawped at Arsenal’s $45m asking price for the 22-year-old who shone last season on loan at French club Reims.

Folarin Balogun not close to Inter Milan switch

Despite initial interest earlier in the summer, Inter Milan have now walked away from a deal for Balogun according to Italian news outlet Calciomercato. The news is likely to prove a shot in the arm for French club Monaco who are expected to return with a second bid for Balogun after having an initial offer rebuffed by the Gunners earlier this week.

Simeone Inzaghi’s men have now turned their attention to striker Marko Arnautovic who, at the age of 34, is deemed as a far more affordable and realistic option.

Arnautovic has been a leading force in Italy over the past two seasons for Italian side Bologna, scoring an impressive 25 goals in 57 appearances in all competitions for I Rossoblu.

The veteran is set to return to San Siro an incredible 13 years after his season-long loan spell under Jose Mourinho in which the Austrian won a historic treble with the Nerazzuri.