Report: Arsenal set to receive significant Folarin Balogun blow

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal starlet Folarin Balogun is poised to leave the Gunners with the striker close to signing a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club.

According to The Athletic, the 19-year-old has grown frustrated with a lack of movement with a new deal at the Emirates Stadium.

At this stage, it is not clear who the club is but it would seem as if the Hale End graduate is set to depart the club.

Balogun has scored two goals and registered one assist during four Europa League outings this season.

He hasn’t made an appearance in the Premier League, however, and clearly feels that his chances are restricted.

This news will be a massive blow to Mikel Arteta who has constantly spoken about keeping the American-born player in North London.

Balogun is represented by Elite Project Group and they have negotiated contracts for Chuba Akpom, Alex Iwobi and Bukayo Saka in recent years.

The striker, however, hasn’t been impressed with Arsenal’s previous offers and has now decided to take action.

Balogun has scored 38 goals in 41 appearances for the club’s under-18s and 17 in 41 outings for the under-23s.

TBR View: Time will tell whether Arsenal will rue their stance over Balogun

Clearly, Arsenal thought they’d offered decent terms to their talented youngster, despite Balogun holding a difference of opinion.

It’ll now be intriguing to see whether the youngster will develop in a way in which Arsenal fans think he will do.

They have waxed lyrical about his quality for some time but Arteta hasn’t yet chanced him in the Premier League.

Arsenal valued the youngster at £15 million in the summer but were confident of keeping him at the club.

Signing a pre-contract agreement means Arsenal will only recoup compensation for the player.

Time will tell whether or not Arsenal missed a trick by not utilising him sooner – or whether he wasn’t actually all that anyway.

It’ll certainly be one to watch in the future.