Folarin Balogun has clarified that he wants to be a starting striker when he returns from France next season after a very successful loan spell under William Still at Reims.
David Ornstein was the man who broke the news, stating:
“Florian Balogun wants to be a first-choice striker at Arsenal next season. This is unlikely to happen so he could be sold, amid huge interest following an extremely successful loan spell at Reims.”
The Atheltic has added that the inform striker is currently being targeted by five different clubs. These clubs are AC Milan, Inter Milan, RB Leipzig, Marseille and Monaco. It’s unsurprising Folarin Balogun is attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs with the Arsenal loanee scoring 18 goals in Ligue One so far this season.
Only Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David have more goals than the 21-year-old in France this season, with both on 19 goals.
The young forward is currently showing explosive form at Reims and the Gunners could find it extremely difficult to keep hold of him in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Folarin Balogun of Arsenal last season. [Image Credit: Getty Images]
The future USA international is nearing the last two years of his current deal he signed back in 2021 and does not plan to extend these terms, which is no reflection of his feelings towards Arsenal but rather the situation. It is a stance influenced by some of the major clubs around Europe.
He wants first-team football at Arsenal and would only settle for this. But given the seniority and contractual lengths of both Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, with both there contracts running out in 2027, it looks unlikely Florian Balogun will be getting first-team football at Arsenal next season.
According to Phillipp Hinze of Sky Sports Germany, RB Leipzig are already negotiating for Folarin Balogun with Arsenal expected to set their asking price at £40m+ for the extremely talented 21-year-old.
Mikel Arteta is yet to make a decision on Balogun’s future yet and will sit down with the player once he returns from his loan spell ahead of next season. However it’s looking likely the player will leave North London come the summer transfer window.
