Recent reports suggested that Arsenal rejected a permanent transfer offer from Stade de Reims for Folarin Balogun in the January transfer window, but they haven’t yet decided what to do with him next.
Stade de Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot is hoping Arsenal might loan the striker out again, as he admits a permanent deal seems beyond the realms of possibility.
“I think [signing him] is impossible,” Caillot said (via GFFN). “Either Folarin will return to his club (Arsenal) to have his chance, he’s loaned out, or transferred to a very big club.
“We are already working on life after Balogun, the day when he will leave our club. But if he and the club are open to another year at Reims, we’ll do everything to make it happen.”
Arsenal won’t be short of offers this summer, but they’ll have to decide whether to keep Balogun and extend his contract to make him part of Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans or to cash in on his impressive season in Ligue 1.
Balogun currently has a deal with Arsenal until 2025, so he still has more than two years to go. But loaning him out again without an extension would mean he wouldn’t return until his final 12 months.
Another loan to France to play for the same club probably isn’t going to be particularly appealing to Arsenal or Balogun.
Young players always seem to want that sense of progression from year to year, and it’s hard to see what more Balogun could give with Reims. He’s already the top scorer in Ligue 1 as it stands.
It’s always nice to be wanted though, and there’s no doubt Reims are happy with the Arsenal loanee.
