Arsenal may not be able to sell the star for as much money as they would have hoped, either
(Image credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Arsenal have been dealt a blow, with one of their stars deciding that his future lies elsewhere.
Almost everything has gone right for Arsenal this season, with Mikel Arteta's side putting together a stunning title challenge and finding themselves six points ahead of Manchester City with eight games remaining. Part of that can be attributed to the arrival of Gabriel Jesus, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have been on fire, too.
Beyond those first-choice forwards, Leandro Trossard has been brought in for depth and been a huge hit, while Eddie Nketiah has stepped up to contribute, too.
Arsenal have shown plenty of firepower in attack this season (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
But one forward, Folarin Balogun, could be set to leave in order to become first-choice.
The Athletic'sDavid Ornstein reports that the New York-born forward – on loan currently in Ligue 1 with Reims – wants to remain at the Emirates Stadium and become the club's primary No.9 but with Jesus and Nketiah in the pecking order ahead of him, recognises how difficult such a fight would be.
Balogun doesn't want to move on loan again, leaving the Gunners little option but to sell him. "Balogun is nearing the last two years of the deal he signed in 2021 and does not plan to extend those terms, which is no reflection of his feelings towards Arsenal but rather the situation," Ornstein writes.
According to Calciomercato, Arsenal would sell for under £30 million.
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Balogun has been outstanding in France this season (Image credit: FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal would surely hope to command more money for such an emerging talent, capped by England's youth teams and who has scored 18 times for Reims in the league this season. With his contract ending in 2025, however, the north Londoners might have to accept a low fee in order to make any money at all.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
