Arsenal talent Folarin Balogun is edging closer to a loan move to Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims with a medical booked in this week.
Balogun spent the second half of last season out on-loan with Championship side Middlesbrough, where he scored three goals and provided as many assists in 18 appearances. During the 2021-22 season, the England under-21 international made two appearances in the Premier League, scoring two goals and contributed one assist in five substitute appearances in the UEFA Europa League for Arsenal.
Nuno Tavares has already left the club to join Marseille on a season-long loan deal, and the Gunners will be hoping the Portuguese defender can learn from William Saliba's time with the French side. Arsenal wanted Balogun to leave the club on-loan this summer in search of regular first team football to continue the striker's development, with a move to Reims now looking ever more likely.
READ MORE: Why Oleksandr Zinchenko got angry as Gabriel Jesus sets the tone for exciting new Arsenal era
Reports on Sunday afternoon suggested the Gunners were torn whether another loan is the best thing for Balogun, or whether he should stay with the first-team squad this season. However, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Reims are now 'closing in' on a loan deal to sign the England striker from Arsenal.
A loan move is set to be agreed until June 2023, with Balogun having received proposals from Premier League clubs before opting for a move to Ligue 1. A medical is expected to take place early this week, as the player waits for the final details to be resolved between the two clubs.
Reims lost French talent Hugo Ekitike to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer, after the Gunners were also linked with a move for the 20-year-old striker before signing Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City.
Balogun would have found first team opportunities hard to come by if he had stayed at the Emirates Stadium next season, with both Jesus and Eddie Nketiah ahead of him in the pecking order.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal's injured quartet face huge battle ahead of new season amid Mikel Arteta squad update
Arsenal stars react to historic England Women's Euro 2022 victory over Germany at packed Wembley
Full Arsenal Premier League fixture list for 2022/23
Jonathan David drops Arsenal transfer hint on Instagram amid Gunners icon admission
What Arsenal defender William Saliba did vs Sevilla as Gunners dominate Emirates Cup clash
