Folarin Balogun: What club could offer Arsenal man the stability he wants?

Balogun had an impressive year at Reims, and the USMNT striker needs another right move to continue his upward trajectory.

Folarin Balogun took a chance on himself by moving to Ligue 1 last season, temporarily signing for Reims on loan from Arsenal.

Folarin Balogun enjoyed a successful season at Reims

Few probably predicted the eventual success of the 2022-23 campaign, which began with the centre-forward scoring in his opening three league games and five of the first six top-flight appearances.

Last season ended with Balogun finding the back of the net 21 times in 37 appearances (34 starts), outdone by only Kylian Mbappe (29), Alexandre Lacazette (27) and Jonathan David (24).

Interestingly, only Mbappe (28) failed to tuck away more big chances than the USMNT centre-forward (26), while the striker’s Expected Goals (xG) underperformance was striking.

Among the league’s top scorers, only Balogun underperformed his xG by a significant margin in 22-23, indicating under-par finishing despite a high-scoring season.

Back at Arsenal after a successful time away at the club, the forward has a significant decision to make this summer.

Should Folarin Balogun stay at Arsenal?

Mikel Arteta’s recent comments about Balogun suggest a decision has not been made on the 22-year-old.

“Balogun has done incredibly well, and now we have to think what is best to do,” the Arsenal boss stated.

“We want to see him; we want to experience him in the next few games. He played the last game against Nurnberg and he will do again in the next few games. Then we will make the best decision.”

The USMNT man recognises the success of last season’s loan deal at Reims, where he proved he could thrive playing first-team football and would accept whatever decision the club takes on his future.

“I feel I was able to prove I could play first-team football and show people I can play at that level,” said Balogun.

“I think with me coming back it's not really much of a situation where I think I need to try extra hard to prove something, I think it's a decision that's not really with me. Whatever happens, I'm cool with it.”

The elephant in the room is the presence of three striking options — Gabriel Jesus, Edward Nketiah and Balogun — which becomes four if you include Kai Havertz, whose versatility proves he can deputise as a central attacking option.

Be that as it may, there is an expectation to utilise Havertz in a deeper role, effectively ruling out the former Chelsea man unless an injury crisis hits the North London club.

With the Gunners returning to the Champions League and fighting on multiple fronts domestically, three bodies at centre-forward are optimal.

However, Nketiah and Balogun are unlikely to displace Jesus as Arteta’s centre-forward, despite both believing they are primed for consistent game time.

One of them could be sold, and Balogun seems the likelier saleable asset, with Inter Milan, RB Leipzig and Crystal Palace reportedly interested in the Arsenal man.

Could Balogun be Inter’s major centre-forward acquisition?

The Nerazzurri’s love story with Romelu Lukaku is over, and the 2023 Champions League finalists are considering other options at centre-forward, with Alvaro Morata and Balogun linked.

A move to Simone Inzaghi’s men makes sense on paper. The Serie A is a level above Ligue 1, Inter could provide the 22-year-old his first experience of Champions League football, and Inzaghi’s cup-winning expertise means Balogun might add medals to his locker.

However, Inter are financially disadvantaged. Inzaghi, speaking on the eve of the club’s Champions League final loss to Manchester City, said he would not change any player in the group, no matter what.

However, Andre Onana is closing in on a Manchester United switch after only a season in Milan, midfielder Marcelo Brozovic has departed for Al-Nassr, and Edin Dzeko joined Fenerbahce on a free transfer.

The club’s financial constraints are an upshot of the emergency €275 million loan from Oaktree Capital to shore up its finances in 2021, possibly forcing Suning to lose control of the club in 2024 with a €350 million repayment due next May.

With Marcus Thuram arriving on a free transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach, Inter seek another centre-forward option.

But Arsenal’s asking price for Balogun — around €50 million — could be prohibitive, and the USMNT man may doubt Inter’s short-term stability.

RB Leipzig and Crystal Palace options for Balogun

Admittedly, Leipzig would be an ideal choice for several reasons.

The Bundesliga outfit participates in a competitive league and are Champions League regulars, having played in Europe’s premier club competition for four consecutive seasons. 

Since making their European debut in 2017-18, the Red Bulls have not missed out on continental football, thus offering Balogun Champions League or Europa League experience.

The 22-year-old could also be a beneficiary of the reasonable stability at the club that is unlikely to stand in his way of a destination transfer down the road if he flourishes at the Red Bull Arena.

Be that as it may, the rumoured interest in the Arsenal man seems odd due to the recent acquisition of Lois Openda from Lens.

Additionally, Leipzig agreed to a deal a year in advance for Benjamin Sesko to move from RB Salzburg this summer. Also currently on the club’s books are Timo Werner, Andre Silva, Yussuf Poulsen, and the returning Alexander Sorloth (on loan at Real Sociedad last season), making a transfer to the German club far from ideal.

Despite regularly utilising a 4-2-2-2 last season, Marco Rose still seems to have a surfeit of centre-forward options, casting doubts over a Balogun transfer to the Bundesliga.

As for Crystal Palace’s reported interest, that would be a safe choice for Balogun. The USMNT striker gets to stay in the Premier League and lead the line of a side that have often struggled for output from their central striker options in recent seasons.

First-team opportunities are assured at Selhurst Park, and the path to a destination move is not blocked at the club.

However, it loosely would represent a sideways move, having played at Reims last season, even if the Premier League offers optimal visibility.

An impressive year in Ligue 1 has opened the eyes of observers to Balogun’s talent. Now the Arsenal striker needs to make another perfect decision to sustain the momentum gained in a successful 2022-23 season.