Arsenal could sell loan star Folarin Balogun in the summer after a breakout year for the Hale End academy graduate in France with Stade de Reims.
According to the Sun, Arsenal are keeping their options open in regards to Balogun’s future after a record-breaking loan spell in Ligue 1 currently sees the youngster top of the scoring charts, ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, as well as former Gunners star Alexandre Lacazette.
Arsenal could sell Balogun amid booming transfer interest
With 14 goals in Ligue 1 this season, interest is sure to explode in Balogun come the summer transfer window and the striker’s return to Arsenal, and as a result, the north London side could find themselves in a position where they could sell the England youth international.
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As per the Sun, Reims have declared an interest in signing Balogun on a permanent deal already. However, given how much the attacker’s stock has risen, it is unlikely that the French side will be able to match whatever price tag Arsenal settle on for the youngster.
Indeed, with Arsenal’s striking options pretty well stocked in the former of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, selling Balogun could actually be a wise decision from Mikel Arteta, with the major sale of an academy talent something that could help the north London side greatly in their attempts to bring in two world-class central midfielders.
Summer sale could allow Arteta to complete dream Arsenal squad
Arsenal are hardly the best of clubs when it comes to offloading players, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s £40m move to Liverpool in 2017 still the Gunner’s record sale. However, Balogun’s form this season coupled with his contract means that this figure could be broken in the summer.
Indeed, with Arsenal having two perfect striking options in Jesus and Nketiah, the north London side can afford to sell Balogun when his stock is likely as high as it will ever reach. And with midfield an area of the squad that needs world-class additions, offloading the 21-year-old could give Arteta the funds needed to complete his dream team.