Arsenal set to lose hotshot young striker for free next summer

We know that this has been one of the most difficult transfer windows for most clubs, not just Arsenal, but for me the biggest calamity from the club has been the failure to cash in on Folarin Balogun.

David Ornstein reported back in June that Balogun was set to leave Arsenal this summer, due to a stand-off from the player on a new contract extension, which has now entered the final year, and it now looks like we are resigned to losing the hitman on a free transfer next summer.

The 19 year-old has scored an astonishing 50 goals in 70 games for the Arsenal U18 and U21 sides, and as an England youth international could be lining up a very lucrative move for next summer.

It was rumoured that we turned down a 3million bid from Sheffield United for the American-born striker, but the window slammed shut with no move on the table.

I am guessing there is still time to persuade Balogun to put pen to paper, but having had three months trying to persuade him it looks like a lost cause, and with Pepe, Willian, Aubameyang, lacazette, Nketiah and Martinelli in front of him at Arsenal, there is little chance of Mikel Arteta being able to offer him much game time except in the Europa League and minor cup games.

This could be one mistake that could come back to bite Arsenal in the futureโ€ฆ

Tags Folarin Balogun

19 Comments

  1. There’s still time! I am amazed how SU only offered us 3m, yet went and splashed 23m on Brewster!!

    OT.. Argh, I can’t stand the interlull, talk about dragging! Arsenal women are on at 12.30 though, so that’s good..

    Dan kit.. 2 episodes in – Ratched – loving it!

    1. Cannot force someone to sign a contract, club have done well in bringing in an alternative during the window. He is what 19 and plays in the under 23s, I don’t really see what the panic is? We tried to send him on loan last season he refused, reminds me of AMN when he was being ill advised. Perhaps Ainsley should put an arm round his shoulder and say take the pay increase, sign the 2 year extension and head off on loan to Brentford as benrahma’s replacement along with Saliba.

      1. Well, I was watching through my fingers ๐Ÿ˜‚ It’s the ‘procedures’ I struggle with!! Haha what a wimp!!

  2. As I understand it, Arsenal will stand to get more than 3m for him in compensation if he leaves on a “free”. But a transfer with a buyback clause and sell-on percentage seems like a better option if they cant get him to change his mind.

  3. We should do everything to keep Folarin Balogun. To buy a player like him will cost a fortune in the future. Give him a good contract, and we should give him chances in the Carabao Cup, FA cup etc. We ****** up on Gnabry why ****** up on Folarin. Stupid to risk losing him. Look at Andy Cole. He was ours for 3 years and won United titles. How many mistakes like this can we make?

  4. He canโ€™t play in the Europa league as he isnโ€™t currently in the squad. Off topic but why on earth are there 5 goalkeepers in the Europa league squad?

    1. That’s right. Also how many teams can have as many centre backs as we do? If we play 4-3-3 we will use 2 centre backs, but we have Socratis, Gabriel, Holding, Chambers, Mustafi, Mari, David Luiz, Saliba (and we have played Kolasinac there). That really is insane. Mind****.

  5. We saw that Arteta can be very convincing if it is about players signing for Arsenal or players wishing to leave the club. I hope that in that case we try to use that extra time given to us and try to convince Balogun to make a u-turn and stay.

  6. @Declan. Dejan Iliev has been sent out on loan to Shrewsbury Town so is no longer in he squad. Still 4 goalkeepers is still excessive.

    @Sean Williams. Sokratis isn’t in the EL league squad and will probably be left out of the PL squad.
    Saliba isn’t in Areta’s plans yet and will probably go out on loan.
    Gabriel, Holding, Mari (currently injured) and Luiz will probably be starters with Chambers and Mustafi who are both currently injured as back up. That only leaves us with 3 fit CB’s at the moment and 3 injured.
    Gabriel and Mari are both left footed players and the rest are right footed. Having a 1 left and 1 right footed player adds balance to the center of the defence.
    We will probably see different combinations as Arteta has said he will pick players for matchday squad on their work in training, to suit the opposition and tactics he will use.

    1. NWL Dan
      Your life seems about telling us that we don’t get it. You must have so many problems with others. Get some happiness without constantly telling others what they can already see. Can you read context and the points people are trying to make? No……you are Mr Black and white! No understanding context.

      1. Declan asked why there a 5 keepers in the EL Squad. There’s not, there’s 4 so I don’t see where I misunderstood his context.

        I don’t think we have too many CB’s. Maybe I should of just commented to you by saying we’re not overloaded and left it at that without giving an explanation of why I think we’re not.

        I am happy. I hope you are too.

  7. Arteta should talk to Liam Brady about his biggest mistake in not tying Harry Kane down at the Arsenal.
    Their is still time for Folarin Balogun.
    Serge Gnabry and the loan to Tony Pulis at West Bromwich Albion still grates with me.

Comments are closed

Top Blog Sponsors