French club Reims are eyeing a potential move for Arsenal starlet Folarin Balogun this summer, according to reports. It comes as the academy graduate's current role at the club is uncertain ahead of the upcoming season.
That's because of some changes up front, with both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving in the past few months. Eddie Nketiah has signed a new long-term deal, while Gabriel Jesus has joined to solve the issues in the striking department.
With those two likely to secure the main attacking roles, it remains to be seen what will happen with Balogun. The 21-year-old spent the second half of last campaign on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, making 18 league appearances with three goals and three assists.
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Earlier this year, Mikel Arteta was full of praise for the academy graduate, suggesting he has a long-term future with the Gunners: "I think Flo is doing what he needed to do, and probably we should have done it [sent him on loan] a little bit earlier. It's always a bit difficult to time when is the best moment to do that. But he’s having the right exposure, he’s playing in a different formation and sometimes a different role under a manager and a club with huge history.
"You can see how he is developing. This is going to give us more detail about what is the next best move for him to keep developing, because he has developed and we want him to be part of our future.
"He needed a pathway, he needs that exposure. He needs to go through good and difficult moments, and he needs to be able to adapt and find himself in the dressing room, and develop the importance that is required to play at this level. I think he is doing all of that really well."
While there needs to be a clear next step in that pathway mentioned, his performances and promise seem to have brought about interest. According to L'Equipe, via GFFN, Reims have shortlisted the striker in their summer transfer window for forward options.
It comes as the Ligue 1 club look to replace Hugo Ekitike, who left the side for PSG in a huge deal. The 20-year-old has been compared to new team-mate Kylian Mbappe in the past, given his rise to the top in the division.
It remains to be seen whether Balogun would make the switch, with three-years left on his contract at Arsenal. However, should the pathway be unclear, he could look to get first-team football elsewhere.
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