Reims’ general manager Mathieu Lacour hopes to see Folarin Balogun thrive at Premier League leaders Arsenal or ‘another big club’ after a superb season out on loan in Ligue 1.
Just last month, Balogun broke a record which had not been touched in almost 70 years across the Channel. Balogun, when taking his tally to 17 with a typically well-taken finish against Marseille, became the youngest player to score this many goals in his debut Ligue 1 campaign since 1956.
It’s fair to say Balogun has come a long way since that difficult spell at Middlesbrough.
What the future holds for the New York-born centre-forward beyond this season, however, remains largely uncertain given the presence of Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard at his parent club.
Lacour accepts that Balogun will not be sticking around for another season at Stade de Reims. And the general manager hopes to see his 21-year-old talisman continue his rapid rate of progress somewhere over the next 12 months, whether that be back home at Arsenal or another, more far-flung destination.
Arsenal have a decision to make about Reims loanee Folarin Balogun
“The deal was clear with Arsenal and ‘Balo’. We wish him the best for next season,” Lacour tells Amazon Prime.
“I hope for him at Arsenal, maybe at another big club. It was a win-win deal and ‘Balo’ will be under other skies.”
Balogun may be unlikely to accept a substitute role at Arsenal going forward. The Gunners, then, could have a difficult decision to make. Do they cash in on Balogun while his reputation is at it’s most glittering? Or do they re-introduce the academy graduate as direct competition for Jesus?
“He has been phenomenal,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta smiles when asked about Balogun’s outstanding loan spell.
“Keep doing what (you) have been doing and don’t focus on anything else. Everything else will come naturally. He’s been working really well for him and the team.”
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