Aston Villa and Tottenham target Folarin Balogun absent from Monaco first-team training

Aston Villa and Tottenham target Folarin Balogun absent from Monaco first-team training Amid strong links with a transfer, Folarin Balogun was absent from AS Monaco’s first-team training session, attended by Get French Football News on Wednesday. Balogun was not involved in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier first leg, against Gornik Zabrze in Poland last week. He wasn’t involved in Monaco’s Ligue 1 opener against Le Havre AC either. And nor will he be involved in the second leg against Gornik Zabrze. Speaking last week in a press conference attended by GFFN, Filipe Luís explained the USMNT international’s absence: “He just started his pre-season. He came back late from the World Cup and is also recovering from some issues that he had in the World Cup . He couldn’t train much yet. He’s probably going to start training with the group this week. I hope we can have him soon, because, of course, he’s an important player ,” said the Brazilian. Balogun did not train on Wednesday. He continues to follow an individual programme. Ansu Fati was also absent, whilst Matthis Abline was on the pitch, albeit following an individual programme of his own. Balogun continues to be linked with an exit from the Principality club. This week, the former Arsenal forward has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Barcelona. GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco