Arsenal make shocking Folarin Balogun transfer decision as Mikel Arteta plots summer clearout
Arsenal are poised to sell Folarin Balogun this summer despite his great run on loan at Reims with Mikel Arteta aiming to shed a plethora of players to increase transfer cash, according to sources.
The 21-year-old has enjoying an outstanding campaign in Ligue 1 and bagged his 18th goal of the season over the weekend against Brest, meaning he is now just one strike behind top scorers Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David.
Many Arsenal supporters were hopeful Balogun, who came through the club’s youth, would return to the Emirates this summer and enhance the club’s offensive options.
Yet, according to The Times, the teenager does not want to come back if he is just going to be the third-choice forward, with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah both ahead of him in the pecking order.
The England Under-21 international, who has also been courted by the United States, only has two years left on his contract and Arsenal are cognizant that his price tag is unlikely to grow any higher than it will be this summer.
As such, it may benefit both parties for Arsenal to cash in on Balogun despite his great play for Reims.
The Gunners are expected to seek a sum in excess of £30million – though they hope his price tag will climb if his hot streak in front of goal continues until the conclusion of the season.
A number of Premier League sides are understood to be keeping eyes on the situation, while Serie A heavyweights AC Milan have also been linked with a summer move.
Strangely, The Times say that Balogun – who is unlikely to ink fresh terms as things stand – is actually considered as a fourth-choice attacking option by Arteta, who also puts Leandro Trossard ahead of him as well as Jesus and Nketiah.
Arsenal are set to unload a number of players this summer as they attempt to raise finances for fresh summer acquisitions and there are some huge question marks regarding the amount available to Arteta.
The north Londoners are understood to owe over £180m on prior deals, which will continue to be paid off over the coming windows, while their £50m January splurge has also affected their summer budget.
It means Arsenal will need to sell players in order to earn finances and they have already identified a handful of marginal players who might be offloaded.
Alongside Balogun, the guy Arsenal are most hopeful about receiving a substantial sum for is Kieran Tierney – who is desired by Newcastle after losing his spot to Oleksandr Zinchenko – while Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and even Emile Smith Rowe might also be transferred.
