Olympique Marseille are reportedly interested in signing Arsenal talent Folarin Balogun, who is enjoying a record-breaking season out on loan in France with Stade de Reims.
According to Foot Mercato, the Ligue 1 giants are one of many top clubs in the country who are taking an interest in the 21-year-old Arsenal youngster, who is expected to leave the north London side permanently this summer to become a regular away from the Premier League leaders.
Valued by Arsenal at £30m according to 90min, Marseille believe they have the funds to sign Balogun this summer, with the England youth international believed to be keen on staying in France beyond his current loan spell at Reims having made Ligue 1 his playground this season.
Should Marseille qualify for the UEFA Champions League, Igor Tudor’s side could be in a fantastic position to sign Balogun, with the French side also proving to be quite the destination for former Arsenal players, with Matteo Guendouzi and Sead Kolaisnac both moving to southern France straight from north London.
With Nuno Tavares also out on loan at Marseille and Emirates Stadium cult hero Alexis Sanchez also plying his trade at the Stade Veledrome, Balogun will be surrounded by familiar faces if he was to make the move this summer, and Arsenal could accept a deal if a £30m bid is made.
Indeed, with Balogun keen on staying in France and Marseille on course to qualify for the Champions League, signing for Tudor’s side makes a lot of sense for the England youth international, especially if Arsenal are able to recoup as much as possible for the 21-year-old striker.
Balogun to Marseille could be a dream transfer this summer
Balogun has impressed immensely for Reims this season, with the attacker stepping up to the plate on almost every occasion and breaking numerous goalscoring records along the way, and signing for Marseille on a permanent deal could be a dream transfer this summer.
The French giants have shown that they can develop young players and give them a platform to succeed in both Ligue 1 and in Europe, and for Balogun, the challenge of succeeding at Marseille could be an enticing one for the Arsenal striker, who will become a regular under Tudor if the transfer is made.
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