Fabrizio Romano delivers further update as Arsenal reportedly set to extend contract

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The Athletic have claimed that Folarin Balogun is set to put pen to paper on a new four-year deal at Arsenal and rubbish rumours regarding his future at the club – to which Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has given a further update.

Balogun, 19, is said to be ‘on the cusp’ of signing a new deal. He has been linked with an Arsenal exit for some time but with Arsenal talks dragging on for months, it appears the Gunners have finally made a breakthrough to keep the striker at Arsenal.

It is harsly a surprise to see Mikel Arteta keen for him to stay. The New York-born star has netted nine goals in 18 Under-23 appearances this season while also breaking into the senior side to play five times – scoring twice in the Europa League.

Now, Romano has delivered an update on Ornstein’s story that Balogun is to sign a contract that will keep him at the club until 2025. He states that Balogun has turned down an offer from Bayer Leverkusen, but that Leipzig were not interested.

TBR’s view – Massive boost for Arsenal, but shake-up needed

Now with Balogun staying, Arsenal need to make a decision on one – if not two – of their current strikers. Alexandre Lacazette is currently first choice while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is club captain and often used from the left flank.

Gabriel Martinelli is highly-rated and back from injury but Eddie Nketiah is struggling for game time. With Balogun now signing a new deal, a shake-up is needed. The first name likely to be offloaded is Nketiah – and then perhaps Lacazette.