Folarin Balogun has suggested that he could leave Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at the end of the season.
For good.
Balogun is on loan at Reims at the moment, and the striker has told Ligue 1.com that he could part company with his parent club Arsenal permanently in the summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old striker has said that he does not know what will happen once he goes back to Arsenal after his loan spell at Reims ends at the end of the season.
The England Under-21 international striker has made 24 starts and three substitute appearances in Ligue 1 for Reims so far this season.
Balogun has scored 17 goals and given one assist in those games.
The youngster is under contract at Arsenal until the summer of 2025.
Folarin Balogun on his Arsenal future
Balogun said: ”Yeah I mean, contractually I have to go back. Because the loan was only for one year so that was always the agreement.
“But I wouldn’t, um, I’m not sure what is going to happen in the future.
“A lot could happen in football, a lot could change, and it just depends on the conversations we have between me and the club in the summer, and we’ll see what happens.”
HITC Verdict: Permanent summer exit could happen
In our view, Folarin Balogun could leave Arsenal for good at the end of the season.
Gabriel Jesus is the number one striker at Arsenal at the moment, and that is not going to change anytime soon.
Eddie Nketiah is the second-choice striker at the Gunners.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard can play down the middle, and so can Emile Smith Rowe.
You have to ask how Balogun would get into the Arsenal team.
Would the striker be happy being a squad player?
Given that Balogun is a regular for Reims and is banging in the goals for fun, we do not think that he will settle for a place on the bench at Arsenal.
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