Arsenal set asking price for loan star Folarin Balogun

Folarin Balogun was sensational in Ligue 1 last season || Imago

Arsenal set asking price for loan star Folarin Balogun

Ayoola Kelechi 23:48 - 14.04.2023

Folarin Balogun could be set for an Arsenal exit with the club reportedly setting an asking price for the forward

Premier League club Arsenal have reportedly set an asking price for wantaway striker Folarin Balogun who is currently lighting up Ligue 1 with Reims. 

Arsenal resigned to losing Balogun

The Arsenal academy graduate’s future has been a matter of debate and speculation after he found greener pastures while on loan with Reims, and it appears that Arsenal have decided against tying the 21-year-old down when they have other options in attack.

The Gunners have mounted an unprecedented title challenge in the 2022/23 season with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah leading the line and could be set to go with the pair as their go-to centre-forwards for the immediate future at the expense of Balogun. 

var widgetLoaderConfig = widgetLoaderConfig || { CDN_URL: 'https://widgets.sportal365.com', APP_LINK: 'desktop', API_URL: 'https://africa.football.api.sportal365.com/', API_KEY: '2f852b4de2f3a5cf3188e74b33087bb4:2c18422f8e826a7d11aeed52edb2449e', LANG: 'en', REQUEST_INTERVAL: 30, ENABLE_BET_SLIP: false, AUTHOR: false, THEME: "light", TOURNAMENT_ORDER: "pulse_nigeria", LINK_OPTIONS_V2: { 'player' : { 'url': '/football/player/{playerId}' }, 'team' : { 'url': '/football/{teamId}' }, 'tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}' }, 'match': { 'url' : '/football/match/{matchId}', 'sort': { 'criteria': 'alphabetically', 'direction': 'asc' } }, 'configuration': { 'newWindow': false }, 'standings_tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}/standings' } } }; if (!document.querySelector('script[src="https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js"]')) { window.setTimeout(function () { let scriptCss = document.createElement('link'); scriptCss.href = 'https://www.pulsesports.ng/css/sport-widgets.css?v=1668785443'; scriptCss.rel = 'stylesheet'; scriptCss.type = 'text/css'; document.body.appendChild(scriptCss); let scriptTag = document.createElement('script'); scriptTag.src = 'https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js'; scriptTag.defer = true; scriptTag.onload = function () { window.setTimeout(function () { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }, 200); }; document.head.appendChild(scriptTag); }, 0); } else { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }

To that effect, Arsenal have reportedly slapped a €30 million price tag on the in-form forward hoping to make some profit from moving him on. 

Reims’ modest budget means that the price to keep their 2022/23 top scorer would be considered steep, however, the club might be inclined to stretch their limits given how prolific Balogun has been for them this campaign. 

Balogun recently became the club’s record goal scorer in a single Ligue 1 season since the turn of the century. 

var widgetLoaderConfig = widgetLoaderConfig || { CDN_URL: 'https://widgets.sportal365.com', APP_LINK: 'desktop', API_URL: 'https://africa.football.api.sportal365.com/', API_KEY: '2f852b4de2f3a5cf3188e74b33087bb4:2c18422f8e826a7d11aeed52edb2449e', LANG: 'en', REQUEST_INTERVAL: 30, ENABLE_BET_SLIP: false, AUTHOR: false, THEME: "light", TOURNAMENT_ORDER: "pulse_nigeria", LINK_OPTIONS_V2: { 'player' : { 'url': '/football/player/{playerId}' }, 'team' : { 'url': '/football/{teamId}' }, 'tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}' }, 'match': { 'url' : '/football/match/{matchId}', 'sort': { 'criteria': 'alphabetically', 'direction': 'asc' } }, 'configuration': { 'newWindow': false }, 'standings_tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}/standings' } } }; if (!document.querySelector('script[src="https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js"]')) { window.setTimeout(function () { let scriptCss = document.createElement('link'); scriptCss.href = 'https://www.pulsesports.ng/css/sport-widgets.css?v=1668785443'; scriptCss.rel = 'stylesheet'; scriptCss.type = 'text/css'; document.body.appendChild(scriptCss); let scriptTag = document.createElement('script'); scriptTag.src = 'https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js'; scriptTag.defer = true; scriptTag.onload = function () { window.setTimeout(function () { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }, 200); }; document.head.appendChild(scriptTag); }, 0); } else { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }

The Arsenal loanee has scored 18 goals in 30 Ligue 1 games this season, and is behind only Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David on the scorers’ chart. 

Even if he does not end up at Reims or Arsenal, Balogun’s prolific season means that he will be the toast of teams all over Europe, especially with an affordable price tag. 

Meanwhile 7 key numbers you should know ahead of Ligue 1 Gameweek 31

The exciting top-of-the-table clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Lens headlines Gameweek 31 of Ligue 1, but many other teams and fixtures will enthral you and catch your attention. 

Reims and Rennes will also serve up a mouth-watering tie during the weekend, while Nigeria’s Terem Moffi will be looking to continue his stunning form for Nice when they play against Brest. 

With 10 Ligue 1 games to enjoy, read up on some exciting numbers to help you anticipate the return of French league football. 

Tags: