‘Interesting one’: Sky reporter drops claim on 21-year-old’s future at Arsenal

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Dharmesh Sheth has claimed that Mikel Arteta will decide in pre-season if he is going to loan out Folarin Balogun ahead of the new Premier League season, as he told Sky Sports.

The Sky reporter added that Balogun’s situation at Arsenal is an ‘interesting one’, with Championship clubs and Bundesliga teams keen on signing him this summer.

The 21-year-old spent the second half of last season out on-loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, who missed out on the play-offs.

But with Eddie Nketiah signing a new contract in north London and Gabriel Jesus joining Manchester City to become the club’s main striker, it does reduce Balogun’s game time.

That was touched upon by transfer expert Sheth, who dropped this update on the Hale-End academy product.

“Another interesting one is the Arsenal striker, Folarin Balogun,” said Sheth. “Several Championship clubs, and clubs from the Bundesliga, are interested in taking him on-loan.

“I don’t think Arsenal have made a final decision on whether they will allow him to go on loan this season. He is on the club’s pre-season tour.

“I think Mikel Arteta will use that tour to see if his development is best served staying at Arsenal next season, by competing with the likes of Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.

“Or, whether he will go out on loan again. At the second half of last season, he was out on-loan at Middlesbrough.”

FOLARIN BALOGUN SHOULD LEAVE

Two players are ahead of Balogun at the Emirates, whilst someone like Gabriel Martinelli can also play down the middle if Jesus and Nketiah can’t.

At this stage of Balogun’s career, he needs to be playing on a regular basis and taking those next steps in his career.

A move to Germany’s top-tier on a loan deal would do wonders for the all-action striker and there are plenty of English players showcasing their worth abroad.

Jude Bellingham is one of the best youngsters around, whilst Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori are thriving in Italy, including the latter winning the Serie A title last season.