Paris Saint-Germain have set sights on in-form Arsenal attacker Folarin Balogun, who could depart the north London side.
According to Fichajes, Paris Saint-Germain could plot a move for Folarin Balogun to bolster their attacking options. The in-form Arsenal attacker has flourished in Ligue 1 during his loan spell at Stade Reims. But his future in north London remains uncertain amid demands for regular playing time.
Arsenal will pat themselves on the back for their wise decision to send Folarin Balogun on loan. The attacker struggled to find his ground under Mikel Arteta, who wanted the striker to gain experience by playing regularly.
Balogun has found his calling at Stade Reims, where he has scored 18 goals and provided three assists in the Ligue 1 season. And across all competitions, the in-form attacker has 19 strikes to his name. His superb form for the club has attracted plenty of interest, with as many as five clubs, including RB Leipzig, keen.
Balogun certainly has a future at Arsenal, something Mikel Arteta has repeatedly spoken about in the media. Yet, the Spanish boss may not provide certain guarantees to the player as Balogun seeks the promise of regular game time next season to stay at the club.
With Arsenal needing to sell after a dull period in that aspect, they could view Balogun as a prized asset. Arteta has his squad flushed with fluid forwards and may see the wisdom in selling Balogun for a good price. Now, Paris Saint-Germain have joined the hunt for the 21-year-old.
PSG are keen to refresh their attacking setup to allow Kylian Mbappe to flourish in his customary left-sided space. Hence, they are looking at several options to bring in the summer. And on the other hand, they could lose Lionel Messi when his contract expires.
Balogun could also replace misfiring striker Hugo Ekitike, who arrived last season, incidentally, from Reims. The youngster could return to the club, as PSG may not opt to buy him outright after his loan season. Hence, the In-form Arsenal attacker has come into focus for the Parisians.
Moreover, Balogun will cost much less than some of PSG’s other targets, including Richarlison, Randall Kolo Muani and others. Arsenal reportedly want around €40 million to do business, which could fall well under the Parisians’ budget.
For now, the speculation around Balogun could continue to increase, although a firm decision will only come through in the summer. Whether Arteta integrates the 21-year-old into his system remains the question. But if that happens, one of the current forwards may have to leave.
