Arsenal star reveals future with MAJOR transfer confession

Tom Hancock

• 19 Jun 2023 10:48 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has given some indication about his next step, insisting that he won’t leave the Gunners on loan again.

The USA international spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Ligue 1 outfit Reims – and it’s fair to say he made quite an impact, with only three players scoring more goals in the French top flight, among them Kylian Mbappe.

So, could Balogun – who has made 10 appearances for Arsenal – establish himself in the Gunners squad next term?

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Well, if his latest comments are anything to go by, the 21-year-old either wants to fight for his place in Mikel Arteta’s side – or leave the Emirates Stadium permanently.

Speaking after bagging his first goal for the States – in their 2-0 CONCACAF Nations League final win over Canada on Sunday night – Balogun said: “I definitely won’t go on loan again – then I’m not sure what’s going to happen.”

Balogun finally ended speculation about his international future by declaring for the USA last month; born in New York to Nigerian parents and having grown up in England, he was also eligible to represent either of those countries.

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A place in Arteta's plans?

Balogun – who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €22.4m (£19m) – still has two years left to run on his current Arsenal contract.

It remains to be seen where he’ll be playing his club football in 2023/24, but Arteta has been keeping a close eye on his development while with Reims. Back in February, the Gunners boss said:

“I’m so happy for him. He’s a boy that has a really clear idea of what he wants to do with his career. He’s really ambitious, really committed and really brave.”