Ligue 1 outfit Reims have been chasing Folarin Balogun ‘for over two years’ as the Arsenal striker prepares to leave the Premier League on loan, director Mathieu Lacour tells L’Union.
The England U21 international arrives in France with a bit of a point to prove.
Balogun scored just three times in 18 league games during his first spell away from the Emirates last term – failing to live up to rather lofty expectations at Middlesbrough – so plenty of eyes will be fixed on him as the New York-born forward looks to justify all the excitement that surrounded him as he rose through the ranks in North London.
Balogun, according to Fabrizio Romano, will join Reims on loan for the 2022/23 season.
And Lacour will be hoping that the wait – after two years of chasing – was worth it.
“He’s a player with potential,” explains Lacour, Reims’ general director. “Quick and opportunistic. We have been following him for over two years.”
“Arsenal know our club, which finished ahead of them in the rankings of the youngest teams in Europe. His representatives had other options for the player, but agreed to a loan (with Reims).”
Folarin Balogun leaves Arsenal on loan again
Balogun certainly has big boots to fill at the Stade Auguste-Delaune.
Reims sold one of Europe’s most highly-rated forwards, Hugo Ekitike, to Paris Saint-Germain in a £30 million deal back in July. And while Balogun built one hell of a reputation for himself at youth-team level, he is yet to make his mark in senior football.
“You can see how he is developing,” Arteta said back in March when Balogun was at Middlesbrough. “He’s developed and we want him to be part of our future.
“He needed a pathway, that exposure. He needs to go through good and difficult moments, and he needs to be able to adapt and find himself in the dressing room, and develop the importance that is required to play at this level.
“I think he is doing all of that really well.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
