Arsenal finished the summer transfer window with just Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah as the forward options going into the season. A lot of pressure has been placed on both forwards with a heavy fixture schedule due to the Europa League.
It is pressure in recent weeks which has impacted the forward selection ahead of the second half of the season. Jesus suffered a serious knee injury during the World Cup, which has meant the importance of Nketiah’s performances have now increased.
However, the fortunes have been different for another Arsenal striker who is currently on loan at French side Reims. Folarin Balogun has enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign which puts him amongst the best young attackers in Europe, but the Gunners might not be able to reap the rewards of his success due to his transfer situation.
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According to Italian news outlet Calciomercato, Balogun may leave the Gunners at the end of the season. AC Milan are reportedly one of the clubs interested in securing his services.
The Englishman started the first Premier League game for Arsenal last season against Brentford, which was the moment it seemed he had finally broken through into the Arsenal squad. However, he was unable to make another start and was eventually loaned out to Middlesbrough.
Balogun has impressed in the French top division since making a season-long loan switch to Reims in the summer transfer window. His impressive goal return has proven this, with 10 goals already scored in the league so far.
Only Kylian Mbappe and Neymar have scored more than the Arsenal loanee this season, showing the potency in front of goal that Balogun has. It also highlights why Edu must be shrewd with his next attacking transfer move back at the Emirates Stadium.
Balogun can take great encouragement with his current loan move due to the previous striker Reims had in their ranks, Hugo Ekitike. The youngster was also a striker who showed a lot of potential, which eventually saw him develop and land a mega-money move to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Ekitike was sold to PSG for €35million (£30million) at the age of 20. The youngster now lines up with Lionel Messi and Neymar for the best team in France.
The Frenchman's quick rise to becoming an excellent striker at a young age highlights the development chance that Reims offers. Balogun can take inspiration from this and benefit from this crucial loan move, which is already paying dividends.
If Arsenal are to sell Balogun to AC Milan, Edu can generate a handsome amount of funds from the sale due to the impressive form of the striker.
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