Report: Arsenal reopen talks with Folarin Balogun over new contract

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Arsenal have received a boost, with The Athletic reporting that talks with Folarin Balogun over a new contract have restarted.

Balogun’s future has been a talking point for some time. The Daily Mail reported in the summer that Sheffield United had made a £3 million bid for the 19-year-old. However, the Gunners rejected that offer as they held out for a deal worth £15 million.

That was despite Balogun’s contract having less than a year to run. And The Athletic has claimed that his exit was previously looking inevitable.

However, Balogun has since made his first-team debut for Mikel Arteta’s men. And Arsenal are now hoping that the forward’s stance on his future may have changed.

The Athletic reports that discussions over a new deal have restarted. It is claimed that reaching an agreement is now considered a possibility.

TBR View: Keeping Balogun would be a major statement from Arteta

Arteta is perhaps under more pressure right now than he has been at any other time during his brief tenure at the Emirates.

Performances certainly need to improve. But overseeing a new deal for Balogun would arguably provide a boost to Arteta’s stock.

It would surely be a sign that Balogun is buying into the long-term project at the Emirates. Of course, he subsequently needs to prove that he can make an impact in the first-team.

But Balogun’s form in the youth ranks hints that he could have a brilliant future ahead. So holding onto him beyond this season would be fantastic for Arsenal, and for Arteta.