Folarin Balogun's future continues to be a hot topic with the Arsenal striker facing a crucial summer.
Balogun, who recently committed his international future to the United States of America, has just finished a superb loan with French side Reims. In his breakout campaign, the 21 year-old scored 22 times in 39 matches with his profile at an all-time high.
It's widely expected that Balogun will leave the Gunners this summer with Mikel Arteta's side likely to cash in on his fine campaign. His transfer value will have risen considerably and clubs across Europe are reportedly keen on Balogun, who to date has made ten senior appearances for Arsenal.
Here, football.london's reporters have their say on Balogun's future...
Kaya Kaynak
It's my understanding that Flo Balogun is edging towards a permanent exit from Arsenal this summer and as far as I'm concerned, that's best for both parties. Arsenal have managed Balogun well by providing him with a good loan out in France and he has certainly delivered on his end of the bargain by having one of the best seasons of any young player in Europe's big five leagues.
If he were to come back to Arsenal, though, I don't think he'll be handed the keys to the kingdom just yet. Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard all mean that Balogun's game time would be restricted and I think it's totally fair enough if he's not happy with that situation.
He's at a point in his career where he needs to build on his excellent form last season and prove it wasn't just a one-off. From an Arsenal perspective, I think it makes sense to sell him too.
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Balogun is now one of their most valuable assets and could easily fetch £40million-£50million this summer when you consider his form, his age, and the bright young future he has ahead of him in the USMNT. I think if Arsenal are smart they would try and negotiate some sort of buy-back option or sell-on clause into any sale though - preferably the former.
He's clearly going to be a very good player and just because he wouldn't fit in at Arsenal right now, it doesn't mean that he never will!
Richard Cusack
Balogun's superb loan spell with Reims has worked out for everyone. Arsenal will get a player back into Arteta's squad who is in the form of his life and Balogun has raised his profile along with his decision to declare for the USMNT.
Now, the tricky part. Balogun is certainly open to a move away from Arsenal and he will land a big transfer if he leaves the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners will be able to command a big fee for Balogun and will be able to use it toward Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo or any other transfer targets. Selling Balogun would not be a tricky decision to make either given how much depth Arsenal have up front in Jesus, Nketiah, Trossard and Bukayo Saka.
He would get a fresh start and a chance to continue his development, which could be stunted by a lack of game-time if he stays at Arsenal.
Josh Holland
Balogun’s decision to swap his international allegiance to the USMNT all-but confirmed his intention to leave Arsenal this summer. For him to be a consistent member of the USA team, he will need to be starting every week and Arteta simply cannot provide that.
The loan move to Reims has worked perfectly for the club and player. Balogun returned from his spell at Middlesbrough a shadow of the striker he is now and will make the Gunners over £30m.
It would be a strange decision for him to come back to north London and accept playing a bit-part role. A sale to Europe is probably the best solution for all.
However, despite much being made of Arsenal’s pursuits of Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, there has been talk of them looking to sign a new attacker. If that is something on Edu Gaspar’s radar, I struggle to see why Balogun shouldn’t be their man.
21 goals in Ligue 1 is impressive, especially considering Balogun scored more than Wissam Ben Yedder, Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez and Neymar. However, the timing just isn’t right though Arsenal will be hoping there will be no repeat of Serge Gnabry here.
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