Transfer Centre

Liverpool handed Folarin Balogun boost?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 07 January 2021

Liverpool-linked Folarin Balogun is set to leave Arsenal after talks over a new contract failed to bear fruit, according to a report.

Liverpool have reportedly been handed a boost in their pursuit of Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, with the youngster expected to leave the club when his deal expires.

The highly-rated 19-year-old has already netted two goals and banked one assist in the Europa League this season, but his contract at the Emirates Stadium is up in the summer.

Balogun has been linked with numerous clubs as he runs down the final few months of his Arsenal deal, but Mikel Arteta has previously stated his desire to keep him on the books in the capital.

However, with the teenager still struggling for regular game time under Arteta, The Independent claims that he could be offloaded by the club as part of a mass clearout this month or in the summer.

As a result, Liverpool could look to strike a deal for Balogun in January or wait until July when he becomes a free agent, and the Arsenal hierarchy have now accepted that he will move on.

The report also claims that Balogun's fellow youngsters Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock may head for the exit door as part of Arteta's overhaul.