Arsenal Include Folarin Balogun on 8-Man January Transfer List

Arsenal are preparing to move on eight players to fund a squad overhaul.

Who ever said January was the worst time of the year? As we’re heading into the winter window, Arsenal have already dished up enough rumours to feed the whole of the month.

Widely reported and accepted is that outgoings are first on the agenda for Mikel Arteta‘s side. The squad is far too big, but equally, full of players no longer wanted or deemed of use.

Two players have already left the club on loan in William Saliba and Sead Kolasinac, while work is being done to move on even more defenders.

Sokratis looks closest to sealing a January move away to Genoa, while Shkodran Mustafi is attracting interest this window ahead of his contract expiring with the Gunners in the summer.

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As per the Independent, other exits are being eyed up by Arteta as he seeks to overhaul his squad and reduce the wage bill before making additions. Any incomings are dependent on players leaving, and while ideally players will be brought in during January, the options available, finances and the difficulty of the market may hint more towards summer acquisitions.

Mohamed Elneny has been mentioned in the report as someone who could be moved on, a claim that counters a previous development that states Arsenal would prefer to keep the Egyptian until the summer. Mesut Ozil’s future, on the other hand, remains up in the air.

Calum Chambers is someone who could also be moved on. The defender has battled his way back from a long-term injury and made his return in this season’s Europa League, but with Arsenal set to hand Rob Holding a long-term contract, another central defender being eyed and Saliba due to return for next season, he has been deemed dispensable.

Also on the list are Hale End duo Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson, two players who could be moved this window as potential makeweights in any Emi Buendia deal. Despite both being on the transfer list, Arsenal are mindful that loan deals are would be preferred with a view on the pair having bigger roles at the Emirates in the future.

However, the final place has been taken up by a surprise inclusion.

Folarin Balogun Among Those Deemed Dispensable

The case of Folarin Balogun is one that has caused disgruntlement from supporters. The 19-year-old made his breakthrough in the senior side this year after impressing in the youth setup, scoring his first goal for the club in the Europa League victory over Molde.

Highly-rated, it appeared as if the striker wouldn’t even be on Arsenal’s books this season with interest in his services from sides across Europe last term. His current deal expires in the summer and he’s free to speak to other clubs, although Arteta has repeatedly stated that it is his wish to tie the New York City-born forward down long-term.

Arteta has even added that the feeling is mutual with Balogun, insisting that the only issues on the talks surrounded the length of his new contract.

However, there has been no update on that front and David Ornstein of The Athletic even added that talks were not progressing and a departure appeared the most likely outcome. Given the difference of opinion on that front, he would be set to leave as a free agent.

The fact he’s been included on the Independent’s list suggests that Arsenal are resigned to losing him. If that is the case, then it’s undoubted disappointment. Balogun has shown all the traits one could desire for in a striker, even making the step up to European football effortlessly.

Contact has now been made by Swansea in the Championship, who have not replaced the goals score by last season’s loanee Rhian Brewster. This comes courtesy of Football Insider, who add that a move for Michael Obafemi was originally planned prior to the Southampton forward’s injury.

Should Balogun not pen fresh terms with Arsenal, then a permanent departure this month has to be planned. Of course, it would constitute another miserable contractual failing on the club’s part to not tie him down, especially given how exciting a prospect Balogun is.

They’ve dug themselves a hole here. While we won’t know the full extent of the situation behind the scenes, Arsenal must not let this worsen by having him leave on a free transfer. It shouldn’t, however, have got to this point.