According to reports, Folarin Balogun’s representatives have ‘opened talks’ with Chelsea over a shock move to Arsenal’s Premier League rivals.
The young forward spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Ligue 1 side Reims and he made the most of this opportunity. He was recruited as a replacement for PSG’s Hugo Ekitike and he scored 21 goals in the league.
Back in February, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta indicated that he is “so happy” that Balogun is making the most of his time in France.
“I’m so happy for him. He’s a boy that has a really clear idea of what he wants to do with his career. He’s really ambitious, really committed and really brave,” Arteta said.
“We discussed a lot before he made that move whether it was the right place to go and the other choices he had. He was so convinced. I’m really happy for him because he deserves what he’s getting.
“When you look at the numbers and what he is doing, it’s just incredible. It’s very rare to see that. But he’s got something special, that’s why we decided to give him a long-term contract and have faith in him and give him the long period that he needs now, because the loan he is having now is really different to the one he had before at Middlesbrough.”
Balogun’s future is in doubt at the moment as Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah are likely to be ahead of him in the pecking order at Arsenal if he sticks around heading into next season.
Last week, it was reported that Balogun has been ‘told’ by Arsenal to ‘find a new club’ after he rejected the chance to discuss a new contract. He has also made it clear that he does not want to go out on loan next season.
Arsenal are hoping to sell him for a sizable fee this summer as they have reportedly set their asking price at £50m.
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AC Milan and RB Leipzig have been mentioned as potential destinations for Balogun, but according to Football Transfers, his ‘representatives have spoken to Chelsea about a possible move to Stamford Bridge’. They add.
‘The Arsenal striker is in search of game-time and so is likely to move on from the north London club. We are told that his representatives have touched base with the Blues over a possible move to Stamford Bridge.
‘He has consequently attracted some elite clubs to his future while his agents have been sounding out possible destinations.
‘Balogun knows he won’t get regular game-time at the Emirates with Gabriel Jesus there and does not wish to leave on loan again.’
One of Mauricio Pochettino’s priorities ahead of next season will be to strengthen in attacking areas after they scored just 38 Premier League goals last season.
They have already signed Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal and they are unlikely to stop there but these Balogun-Chelsea links feel way off the mark.
The Gunners are unlikely to be willing to sell one of their most promising players to one of their direct rivals and they would presumingly prefer him to join a club in Europe.
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