Folarin Balogun has made a bright start for Stade Reims after joining on loan on the third of August 2022 for €4m.
The up-and-coming striker who had an unsuccessful loan spell at Middlesborough is finally finding his feet in Ligue 1, scoring 11 goals in 19 starts so far for the team in 11th place.
On the 21st of January, Balogun starred in his first Coupe De France match, scoring a goal on his cup debut against Les Herbiers. Dispatching a beautiful penalty into the back of Remi Pillot’s net.
Most recently, Balogun produced another top performance as he scored a last minute equaliser against top of the table PSG on the 29th January.
The New York born 21-year-old has scored six goals from open play in Ligue 1 and scored four penalties out of four, showing how clinical he is from the spot. Arsenal’s very own Ivan Toney.
He’s known for his pacey strides, his technique with the ball whilst it’s at his feet and the factor of him being two footed. Arsenal legend Martin Keown has compared Balogun to serial striker Ian Wright due to his speed and intelligent movement.
As well as being an out-and-out scorer for Stade Reims, he has also shown his play-making side, gaining two assists so far during his successful loan spell.
The skilful striker is proving that his future at Arsenal may be a successful one, despite the current displays Eddie Nketiah is putting on show. Due to Baloguns current displays, he’s credited himself a transfer value of €14m according to TransferMarkt and looks to add a few more million to this figure come the end of the season.
Fabrizio Romano commented on why Arteta let Folarin go on loan and not Eddie Nketiah stating: ‘Arsenal were clear in the plan to let Folarin Balogun leave on loan and keep Eddie Nketiah. They have been very clear, Mikel Arteta was crucial in this process and they always trusted him, in particular the director Edu Gaspar.’
In the end, it seemed a good decision, due to Gabriel Jesus’ injury allowing Nketiah to lead the way and Balogun scoring for fun in France.
Arsenal fans are excited with the current Balogun displays, bantering around saying: ‘If Mykhalio Mudryk is £100m then Folarin Balogun is worth £200m.’
If Mykhailo Mudryk is worth £100m then Folarin Balogun is worth £200m 🤝 pic.twitter.com/pUsAOfKRvx
— Gooner Chris (@ArsenalN7) January 21, 2023
Balogun is the current top scorer in the top five leagues, showing his worth. He’s in a list with players like Jamal Musiala with nine goals, Elye Wahi with seven goals, Gabriel Martinelli with seven goals etc.
The man with an eye for goal also sits in sixth for most goals in Ligue 1 this season with Lacazette, Jonathan David, Neymar, Moffi and Mbappe infront of him.
The Arsenal striker is currently up to debate wether to keep or sell him, with Inter Milan interestd in paying over £30m for his signature. (PianetMilan Via Gazetta_It)
so it’s up to you guys, would you keep or sell Balogun for the 23/24 season?
#saka #martinelli #balogun 👇👇 pic.twitter.com/mIBEvI2axL
— Martin tapp (@martintapp4) January 10, 2023
