Arsenal are open to selling Folarin Balogun this summer despite the forward’s impressive loan spell at Reims.
Balogun has shone on loan in France and scored his 18th goal of the Ligue 1 campaign during Reims’ draw with Brest at the weekend. The 21-year-old trails only Lille’s Jonathan David and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe for goals in the division this season and his form has alerted top clubs across Europe.
Balogun is keen to continue playing first-team football next season after a breakthrough campaign at Reims, though faces a difficult task to break into Mikel Arteta’s plans with Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard all options at centre-forward. Arsenal have also been linked with signing another forward option this summer.
The Times are reporting that is it ‘likely’ that Balogun will be sold, with his exit set to raise funds for the Gunners’ summer business.
AC Milan have been linked with a £30m move for the forward, while The Athletic claim that Inter Milan, Marseille, Monaco and RB Leipzig are all considering an approach.
Arsenal have invested a net spend of £330m since Arteta’s appointment as manager and require sales to fund significant summer business.
Kieran Tierney is another expected to depart with Newcastle keen on a deal to sign the Scotland international, while loanees Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares could also leave on permanent deals.
