Jonathan Johnson has told CaughtOffSide that a number of clubs in the Premier League are interested in signing Folarin Balogun from Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
The journalist has claimed that clubs outside the top six in the Premier League are looking at a potential deal for Balogun, who is on loan at Reims from Arsenal at the moment.
Johnson has reported that some of the English clubs who are looking at the Arsenal striker are concerned about the standards of Ligue 1.
Balogun joined Reims on loan from Premier League outfit Arsenal in the summer of 2022.
The 21-year-old has scored 15 goals and giving one assist in 20 Ligue 1 starts so far this season.
Johnson said: “With the Premier League clubs looking at Balogun at the moment, my understanding is it’s clubs outside of the top six, but who are pushing to break into the top six
“Those clubs interested are looking at the current attacking options that Mikel Arteta has available to him such as Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, which might suggest there’s an opportunity there.
“Reims have also expressed an interest in keeping him on as he’s doing extremely well under Will Still, but it could be that, financially, the deal is out of reach for Reims, so that could leave the player with a decision to make this summer, whether to go and fight for his place in the Arsenal team or whether to go somewhere else if someone tries to acquire him.
“I know for a fact that, with some of the Premier League clubs who’ve been looking at Balogun, there have been questions asked about the level he’s playing at in Ligue 1, which I think is part and parcel of how the Premier League views itself.
“I don’t believe he’s playing at an inferior level, so his numbers shouldn’t be discarded. He’s been very impressive, and I think a number of clubs in, say, the Bundesliga will be very interested in him.
“You look at players like Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram and Alassane Plea, and they’re in that kind of mould, so I think there’ll be a lot of interest in him this summer. Arsenal, being the parent club, will have a significant say over his future, but I think he’s one to watch.
“I think, given the way Arteta tends to handle the loanees at Arsenal, he’ll at least want to have a close look at Balogun before making a decision on him in the summer.”
What should Folarin Balogun do about Arsenal?
In our view, Folarin Balogun should go back to Arsenal at the end of the season and then try to get into the team.
Gabriel Jesus is the number one striker at Arsenal, although he is on the sidelines at the moment.
Eddie Nketiah has replaced the Brazil international striker in the team.
So, Balogun will be the third-choice striker at Arsenal next season, second choice at a push.
However, we believe that the 21-year-old should believe in himself and stay at Arsenal for at least the first half of next season.
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