Share
By Anthony Nlebem.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is undecided about the return of Folarin Balogun., an Arsenal player who is currently on loan to French Ligue 1 side Reims despite his brilliant performance.
The 21-year-old player of Nigerian descent has been outstanding for the Red and Whites side top of the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts with Reims, scoring 14 goals in 21 top-flight matches ahead of PSG star Kylian Mbappe, Alexandre Lacazette Neymar and Lionel Messi.
Balogun’s move to Reims on loan has no buyout option or obligation, but Rouges et Blancs head coach William Still wants Balogun to commit his future to Stade Auguste Delaune stadium.
With Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah available for Gunners at the Emirates, Balogun’s long-term future is still unclear.
The England U-21 international is under contract with Arsenal until 2025, but Reims are expected to seal a permanent deal in the summer.
The Gunners boss said the club would sit down with Balogun to discuss his next steps at the end of the season, but he refused to rule out a summer departure, saying:
“The plan is that he finishes his loan period there and then we plan the next chapter in his developing career,” Arteta said.
“I’m very pleased and obviously when you look at the numbers and what he’s doing it’s just incredible and very rare to see that.”
Balogun experienced a difficult loan spell at Middlesbrough in the second half of the 2021/22 season, but Arteta believes Balogun is showcasing his talent in France.
“But he’s got something special, that’s why we gave him a long-term contract and have faith in him and give him the long period that he’s having now because the period he’s having now is different to the one before at Middlesbrough.”
Balogun has made just 10 appearances for Arsenal, scoring two goals with one assist in the 2020/21 season.