Per Mertesacker has added to speculation that Folarin Balogun will leave Arsenal on loan in the January transfer window.
Speaking at the Arsenal Supporters Trust Christmas event via Football London, the academy chief said that the Hale End graduate is the next player that will leap from the U-23s to the first team.
Whilst the 20-year-old striker is a member of the senior squad, first-team minutes have been hard to come by. Balogun has made just three appearances this campaign, with his last coming in September in the League Cup against AFC Wimbledon.
Indeed, the Athletic report that Balogun will likely leave Arsenal on loan in January. And Mertesacker has also revealed that it is likely that the England youth international will depart the club in the winter transfer window.
The former Arsenal captain said: “I think the closest, at the moment, to take that step is Flo Balogun. He’s transferred to the first team dressing room.
Mertesacker added: “He still plays U-23 football and probably most likely will go on loan in January because you need extra exposure to get to that next level so he needs to make that transition.”
Balogun simply has to leave Arsenal on loan
An argument can be made that the youngster has wasted the first six months of the season with the attacker spending virtually all of his playing time with the youth team. However, the decision to allow Balogun to leave in January on loan will be key for the striker’s development.
After all, the 20-year-old is one of the club’s most exciting talents, and Balogun has proven this season that he is more than ready to take the next step in his career by playing at the professional level, which can be achieved with a loan spell to the right club in the winter.
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