Folarin Balogun rules out Arsenal loan exit

Having struggled to adapt to life in the senior Arsenal team, Balogun joined Middlesbrough on a temporary basis for the second half of the 2021-22 season but left with just three goals to his name.

The 21-year-old subsequently opted to try his hand in a different country with a season-long switch to Ligue 1 outfit Reims, and he exceeded expectations under Oscar Garcia and Will Still.

Balogun scored an impressive 21 goals in the 2022-23 Ligue 1 campaign, finishing joint-fourth in the Golden Boot race behind Kylian Mbappe (29), Alexandre Lacazette (27) and Jonathan David (24).

Reims boss Still was apparently keen to keep Balogun at the club permanently, but Les Rouges et Blancs did not possess an option to buy the striker and would have been priced out of a move either way.

Balogun is therefore set to return to Arsenal for the pre-season period, but his contract only runs until 2025, and he is being heavily linked with a permanent departure this summer.

A multitude of top European clubs are thought to be battling for the USA international's signature in the current window, including Napoli, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Monaco and Marseille.

Speaking to reporters after scoring his first goal for the USA in their 2-0 CONCACAF Nations League final win over Canada, Balogun admitted that he was still none the wiser regarding his future, but he categorically stated that he would not consider another temporary move elsewhere.

"I'm not sure [about] the discussions that are going to take place. I'm not sure what's going to happen," the 21-year-old said when asked about crunch talks with Arsenal.

"But I'm just committed to now; I try to stay present. I obviously want to enjoy the moment with my team and my family. What I can say is that I definitely won't go on loan again."

With Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah all capable of leading the line for Arsenal - who tied the latter down to a new long-term deal last summer - Balogun is expected to be available for the right price.

A fee of £35m could reportedly convince Arsenal to part ways with their academy graduate, and Mikel Arteta previously refused to rule out a permanent exit for Balogun when questioned in February.

The former England youth international joined Arsenal in 2011 and starred for the Gunners' Under-18 side with 38 goals from 41 appearances, before also making his mark at Under-21 level with 37 goals in 62 matches.

However, Balogun has been restricted to just 10 appearances for the Arsenal first team, scoring two goals and setting up one more in the group stage of the 2020-21 Europa League.