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Arsenal Transfers: Reims closing in on Folarin Balogun loan deal
Ligue 1 outfit Reims are closing in on securing the loan of young Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
The 21-year-old has starred for the Under-23s in the Premier League 2, but he’s admittedly looked a little out of his depth at the highest level. Balogun’s scored twice and set up another in ten appearances for the first team with every goal contribution arriving in the Europa League.
Arsenal’s return to Europe’s secondary club competition was set to hand Balogun more opportunities to play for Mikel Arteta’s side, but the Gunners have instead opted to loan the forward out for the 2022/23 season.
Reims closing in on Folarin Balogun loan
Reims are closing on loan deal to sign Folarin Balogun from Arsenal, set to be agreed until June 2023. Balogun has received proposals also from PL clubs but he’s prepared to accept Reims. 🚨🏴 #AFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 31, 2022
Medical could take place early next week, waiting for details to be resolved. pic.twitter.com/5U9rKIop0N
It was evident at the start of last season that Balogun wasn’t ready to make the big leap into the first team as he struggled to impose himself away at Brentford on the opening night of the campaign.
He was loaned out to Middlesbrough for the second half of the season and he impressed for Chris Wilder’s side; registering six goal contributions in18 Championship appearances.
Balogun will now have another opportunity to – hopefully – play regularly at a senior level over in France. According to Fabrizio Romano, Reims are close to wrapping up a deal which will see the 21-year-old play in Ligue 1 for the 2022/23 season. The striker’s set to undergo his medicals early next week before officially signing.
While some might question Balogun’s decision to reject proposals from other Premier League clubs in favour of Reims, the French club do have a pretty impressive track record of nurturing young talent.
Balogun will arrive at Reims as a temporary replacement for Hugo Ekitike, who joined Paris Saint-Germain this summer having long been linked with a move to Newcastle.
The 21-year-old merely needs minutes at a senior level and he’ll certainly be given ample chances over in France next season. Therefore, this is a move that I can most certainly get behind.