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‘They can do one’: Some fans fume as Arsenal reportedly demand £15m for teen

Folarin Balogun arsenal
Folarin Balogun of Arsenal reacts during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Barnet and Arsenal at The Hive on July 24, 2019 in Barnet, England. ...
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Folarin Balogun arsenal
Folarin Balogun of Arsenal reacts during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Barnet and Arsenal at The Hive on July 24, 2019 in Barnet, England. (Jack Thomas/Getty Images)

Arsenal have really proven their ambition this summer.

The Gunners have added Willian and Gabriel Magalhaes to the squad on permanent deals, re-signed Dani Ceballos on a season-long loan and, more importantly, they’ve just signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up to a new £250,000-a-week deal until 2023.

With Arsenal reportedly keen on the likes of Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar too, the Emirates Stadium side are definitely showing good signs.

But this might be their most ambitious move to date.

According to The Daily Mail, Arsenal want £15 million for Folarin Balogun.

Bear in mind that 19-year-old Balogun is yet to kick a ball in a senior match for any team, and bear in mind that he is out of contract next summer.

So, £15 million is an eye-watering amount for money for a player who, if we’re honest, isn’t proven is any way, shape or form – and one who has nine months left on his contract.

Sheffield United have reportedly had a £3 million bid rejected and here’s how Blades fans reacted to the idea of the North Londoners demanding five times that amount.

You can sort of see why Arsenal want a lot of money for Balogun, who scored 10 goals in 15 games for the Under-23s last term.

But youth football isn’t comparable to the Premier League in the slightest, so asking for an eight-figure transfer fee is still a touch unrealistic – especially if he’s available for free in a year.

Christian Maghoma of Tottenham Hotspur and Folarin Balogun of Arsenal in action during a Premier League 2 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur training ground,… (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)