Arsenal Transfers News: Should Gunners cash-in on Folarin Balogun this summer?

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Bengaluru, February 9: Arsenal could reportedly sell Folarin Balogun in the summer despite the striker continuing to impress at Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims on loan from the Emirates.

The 21-year-old has been outshining Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) superstar trio of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar Jr in Ligue 1 this campaign.

The Arsenal loanee has performed beyond all kinds of expectations this season for Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims since his loan switch from Arsenal in the summer. The youngster currently tops the scoring charts in Ligue 1 with 14 goals in 21 outings.

Balogun's exploits at Reims sees him leading the Ligue 1 scoring charts ahead of several big names like PSG's trio of Messi, Mbappe, and Neymar, as well as former Arsenal striker Alexander Lacazette.

As pre reports, Arsenal are somewhat surprised to see Balogun doing so well in Ligue 1 having formerly struggled to make an impression on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough where he scored just thrice in 21 games.

Reims boss Will Still has hailed the England under-21 international as a complete striker and admitted that he wants to snap him up on a permanent basis in January.

It is understood that Reims, along with a number of other clubs made approaches to sign the 21-year-old in January. Arsenal managed to hold onto the youngster last month but could now lose him in the summer.

Should Arsenal let go Folarin Balogun?

Balogun's contract with the Premier League side expires in the summer of 2024 which means that Mikel Arteta has to make a decision on the player's future this summer itself.

The Gunners already have two quality strikes up front in the form of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah and both of them have impressed this campaign.

Retaining Balogun could prove to be a costly mistake by the north London giants this summer as the youngster is unlikely to get plenty of playing time should he remain at his boyhood club.

With his stocks high right now, it makes sense for Arsenal to sell him for the maximum fee they can command for him.