Arsenal ‘tell’ £35m attacker to ‘find new club’ after he snubbed board request regarding new contract
According to reports, Arsenal have ‘told’ Folarin Balogun to ‘find a new club’ after he rejected the chance to discuss a new contract.
The 21-year-old progressed through the ranks at Arsenal and he has made ten senior appearances for the Premier League club since the end of 2020.
Balogun had a pretty ineffective loan spell at Championship side Middlesbrough in 2021/22 but he shone in Ligue 1 for Reims last season.
Recruited as Hugo Ekitike’s replacement, Balogun hit the ground running in France and he ended up scoring 21 league goals for the Ligue 1 outfit.
This summer was always going to be a turning point for the forward and Arsenal have ‘slapped a £35m asking price’ on him amid interest from AC Milan and RB Leipzig.
With Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and potentially Kai Havertz battling for starts next season, Balogun may struggle to get a game if he stays at Arsenal.
And 90min are reporting that his representatives have been ‘told to work on finding a new club after he again rejected the chance to discuss a new deal’.
A ‘permanent departure appears the most likely scenario at present’ as Balogun has ‘reiterated that he has no intention to be farmed out on loan’. The report adds.
‘Crystal Palace, West Ham, Brentford, Fulham and Everton are among the clubs to have made contact, 90min further understands, and several sides on the continent have also expressed an interest in a player Arsenal value at over £30m.
‘Lille, another Ligue 1 outfit, are understood to be monitoring Balogun’s situation while the future of star striker Jonathan David remains unclear, while RB Leipzig are also considering their options should a move for Lens’ Lois Openda not progress as hoped.’
While Balogun looks to be heading for an exit, Gunners attacker Emile Smith Rowe is set to stay where he is.
Football Insider are reporting that the Englishman is ‘unlikely to leave Arsenal this summer’. They add.
‘Mikel Arteta remains a big fan of Smith Rowe and he is expected to remain at the club past the summer window.
‘The Spaniard wants more competition for places in his side as he eyes another tilt at the Premier League title in the 2023-24 campaign.
‘Arsenal were stung by several key injuries in their fight with eventual champions Man City last term – and a well-placed source has told Football Insider that Arteta is desperate to avoid a repeat of that situation.’
After scoring ten Premier League goals during the 2021/22 campaign, Smith Rowe did not make a single start for Arsenal in 2022/23 as he was hampered by a groin issue.
He has been linked with Aston Villa and a potential reunion with former manager Unai Emery but if this report is to be believed, the respected coach will have to turn his attention to other targets.
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