AS Monaco is actively pursuing Mika Biereth as they look to fill the void left by Folarin Balogun, whose season has been disrupted by a serious shoulder injury.
Folarin Balogun, signed by Monaco from Arsenal in 2023 for €30m, will be sidelined until at least April following surgery. In response, Monaco has turned its attention to another Arsenal academy graduate in Mika Biereth, who is currently thriving at Sturm Graz.
According to Fabrizio Romano, via L’Equipe, the Ligue 1 side is keen on the Danish U21 international, who has impressed this season with 14 goals and five assists in 25 appearances across all competitions and they have agreed personal terms.
Biereth’s performances, which include standout displays in the Champions League, have made him a top target.
The 21-year-old, who previously shared Arsenal’s youth ranks with Balogun, joined Sturm Graz permanently last summer for €5m after a successful loan stint. During that spell, he netted nine goals in 22 matches and played a pivotal role in securing the Austrian club’s domestic double.
Arsenal included a substantial sell-on clause in the deal, recognising his potential value despite his lack of first-team appearances for the Gunners.
Monaco’s attack has struggled in Balogun’s absence, with Breel Embolo managing just four goals in 21 matches and 18-year-old George Ilenikhena still finding his feet at the senior level. Biereth’s efficiency and adaptability make him an ideal candidate to strengthen Monaco’s forward line.
If the deal goes through, Biereth would be playing in his fourth league in just three seasons, following previous loan stints in the Netherlands and Scotland.
Speaking in October, Biereth expressed his ambition to return to Arsenal, stating, “A transfer back to Arsenal would be fantastic, but it’s not something I’m focusing on right now. If I keep playing well and scoring goals, hopefully a change can come, but right now I’m focused on Sturm and on doing well and scoring goals.”
Balogun, meanwhile, had started to find his rhythm at Monaco after a stop-start season. The American forward contributed 11 goals and eight assists in 42 appearances but saw his momentum interrupted by recurring shoulder issues.
Monaco head coach Adi Hütter lamented Balogun’s absence, saying, “We are very attentive; it is our role to look at the transfer market, what we can do, what is the best solution for us. We have to find someone who scores.”
While Biereth is Monaco’s primary target, the club has also reportedly considered Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani, though logistical challenges have made that move less likely.
For Biereth, a move to Monaco could represent another significant step in his career, offering the opportunity to prove himself at a higher level while filling a critical gap in the Principality side’s ambitions.
