Why Balogun could be the ace up Arsenal's sleeve

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 13 Apr 2023 20:32 BST
• 3 min read

Folarin Balogun is a man in demand after lighting up Ligue 1 on loan at Reims, and that could play into Arsenal's hands in next summer's transfer window.

New York-born England under-21 international Balogun has been a revelation at Will Still's Reims this season, hitting 18 goals in Ligue 1, just one fewer than top scorers Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David.

The youngster remains under contract at Arsenal until June 2025, but with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah ahead of him in the pecking order of strikers at the Emirates, the club could cash in.

READ: Balogun set for CLASH over Arsenal future

AC Milan, Inter and Marseille are among the clubs from the continent to have reportedly expressed their interest, while Manchester United and Chelsea are looking for a No.9 back home, but Arsenal's favourite bidders would be Everton.

Onana the 'next Vieira'

That's because Arsenal want Everton midfielder Amadou Onana - a player who has been dubbed 'the next Patrick Vieira' - and Balogun could be used as a makeweight to bring the Belgian to the Emirates.

"Arsenal and Chelsea wanted to sign Amadou Onana last winter," report Flemish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. "But it was the player himself who held off.

"Everton paid Lille €40 million for Onana and now hope to make a substantial profit, with a transfer fee of €60-€70m."

READ: Who is Amadou Onana? The next Vieira trying to emulate Lampard at Everton

Onana is rated at €29.5m by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm but interest from the aforementioned London clubs and others will drive his asking price significantly higher.

With his value of €19.6 million, Balogun would put a dent in Onana's Arsenal asking price, and Everton would likely bite their hands off given their lack of goals this season.

Everton's need for Balogun could be yet more pronounced if Dominic Calvert-Lewin is sold next summer. The England international has been injured for much of the current campaign but has still attracted interest from Newcastle… and Arsenal!