Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun might leave the Emirates on a free transfer
By Varun Aithal
Arsenal’s young sensation Folarin Balogun is on the verge of signing a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club.
With the help of youth players and academy graduates at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta could turnaround his fortunes in the English Premier League at the end of the year.
The stand-out youngsters, namely Bukayo Saka and Emile-Smith Rowe, have helped the club move up in the points table. Sadly, Arsenal are on the verge of losing one of their wonder kids, Folarin Balogun, on a Bosman transfer.
There are only six months left on the 19-year-old’s current contract with the player close to leaving the Emirates on a free at the end of this season.
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"Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is close to signing a pre-contract agreement to join a foreign club, David Ornstein and James McNicholas can reveal.The 19-year-old, who made his senior debut earlier this season, will be out of contract at the end of the season and has failed to find an agreement with Arsenal over a possible extension.(Via: TheAthletic)"
After a poor start to the league, pundits tipped Arsenal to ship out the deadwood in the winter transfer window. The club have sent Sead Kolasinac on loan with Sokratis also on his way out.
Also, German playmaker Mesut Ozil has agreed to terms with Turkish outfit, Fenerbahce. Amongst these transfer news, Folarin Balogun’s news comes as a shocker for the Gunners’ fans.
Arteta handed Folarin Balogun his senior debut this season against Dundalk in a Europa League fixture. Despite only playing the last nine minutes of the game against Molde, Balogun still managed to put his mark on the game and bagged a goal on his European debut.
His impressive performance came against Dundalk in an away game where he scored and assisted a goal after coming on in the 61st minute as a substitution. The 19-year-old Englishman has 3 G/A for the Emirates outfit.
During the last winter transfer window, Arsenal rejected Brentford’s approach to sign the forward. Brentford offered a sum of £5 million for the youth sensation but were denied a transfer as they expected to extend the player’s contract. However, the club has failed to reach the demands of the youngster.
The transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano’s tweet read:
Balogun always been open to stay at Arsenal... but he needs to play. This is the priority for Folarin and his agents.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 7, 2021
If he plays more, he'll be consider a new contract. If not, Balogun will decide among 15 clubs that approached him as free agent. Nothing done/signed yet 🔴 #AFC
It is rumored that the player is leaving the club because of lack of game time. Folarin Balogun is yet to start a game for Arsenal, as well as feature in the Premier League.
With Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson ahead of Folarin Balogun in the pecking order, the 19-year-old is likely to leave the club soon. The club is still more than keen on keeping the forward at the Emirates.
When asked about Balogun’s future, Arteta replied:
"The club wants to make a deal, the manager wants to make a deal, the player wants to stay and I’m not sure about the agent.(Via: football.london)"
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What are your thoughts on Folarin Balogun’s transfer? Should he leave the club or wait for his chance? Let us know your opinion below in the comments section.