Transfer Centre

Folarin Balogun 'has no plans to extend Arsenal contract'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 10 April 2023

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, currently on loan at Reims, reportedly has no plans to extend his current Gunners deal, which expires in the summer of 2025.

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun currently has no intention of signing a new deal at the club amid speculation surrounding his future, according to a report.

The 21-year-old garnered a reputation as a prolific marksman for the Gunners at youth level, but he struggled to hit the ground running at senior level.

After an underwhelming loan spell at Middlesbrough in the second half of last season, Balogun is unexpectedly challenging for the Ligue 1 Golden Boot during a magnificent loan spell at Reims.

The England Under-21 international has found the back of the net 18 times in 29 top-flight matches for Will Still's side, with his most recent effort coming in Sunday's draw against Brest.

Only Lille's Jonathan David and Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe (19) have scored more than Balogun in the current Ligue 1 season, while ex-Arsenal man Alexandre Lacazette has also netted 18 times for Lyon.

Stade de Reims' Yunis Abdelhamid celebrates after Folarin Balogun scores their first goal on January 29, 2023 © Reuters

Thanks to Balogun's exploits, Reims are making a late charge for European football as they sit eighth in the table, but Les Rouges et Blancs' president has ruled out an "impossible" permanent move this summer.

As a result, the striker is poised to return to Arsenal when the campaign concludes, but his future remains shrouded in uncertainty ahead of the expiration of his contract in 2025.

According to The Athletic, Balogun has no plans to extend his Emirates deal at present, as a multitude of European clubs compete for his signature in the upcoming transfer window.

All of AC Milan, Inter Milan, RB Leipzig, Marseille and Monaco are supposedly interested in signing Balogun, who has also emerged as Lille's number one replacement for David.

The New York-born striker still harbours ambitions of leading the line for Arsenal in the 2023-24 campaign, but his chances of rising above Gabriel Jesus or Eddie Nketiah in the pecking order are slim.

Folarin Balogun warms up for Arsenal in December 2021 © Reuters

As a result, a permanent move to a different league could appeal to Balogun, and his decision not to sign a new Arsenal deal is largely down to his personal situation rather than any ill feelings towards the club.

The 21-year-old said last month that his North London future will be decided at the end of the season, but Arsenal may be reluctant to let Balogun enter the final two years of his contract while his stock continues to rise this season.

Balogun joined Arsenal as an eight-year old and has risen through the youth ranks to make 10 senior appearances for Mikel Arteta's side, scoring two goals and setting up one more.

All three of the England youth international's goal contributions for the Gunners came in the 2020-21 Europa League campaign, and he has made just two Premier League appearances during his fledgling career.