Report: Club are now stepping up their bid to sign ‘incredible’ Arsenal attacker on loan

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French Ligue 1 outfit Reims want to sign striker Folarin Balogun on loan from Arsenal and are ramping up their interest.

French outlet L’Union claim that Reims are still looking to replace Hugo Ekitike, who moved to Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

Ekitike was of course linked extensively with Newcastle before he joined the French champions, and the Gunners were credited with an interest in him too.

Reims want two forwards before the end of the transfer window, and are stepping up their pursuit of Balogun as the start of the season edges closer.

Reims want Balogun

Balogun spent the second half of last season on loan with Middlesbrough, but was not able to help Chris Wilder’s side into the play-offs.

Mikel Arteta has already admitted that he should have loaned Balogun out sooner than he did and it would be no surprise to see another temporary exit happen.

Arteta has sorted out his forward options this summer, signing Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City and tying down Eddie Nketiah as his backup.

That means that Balogun would be third choice at best if he stuck around, although he could get gametime in the Europa League.

Balogun, whose progression has been labelled as ‘incredible‘ by Mikel Arteta, probably does need another loan spell now.

He needs to play regular football and get an opportunity to show what he can do when he gets on the pitch week in week out.

A loan spell in France did wonders for William Saliba, who has since returned to the Gunners and looks set to play a big role this season.