Arsenal face ‘agent’ challenge from ex-Chelsea ace over ‘fantastic’ player

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 14 Jul 2023 04:08 CDT
• 4 min read

Christian Pulisic has dropped a hint that he will try to persuade USMNT teammate Folarin Balogun to leave Arsenal to sign for AC Milan this summer.

Balogun’s future at the Emirates Stadium is under question as the Premier League season approaches, with the 22-year-old, who is valued by FootballTransfers at €21 million, fearing that he will not get the first-team opportunities that he desires under Mikel Arteta.

The striker is coming off the back of a highly successful season at Ligue 1 side Reims, where he scored 21 goals in 37 league matches for the club.

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Such form has attracted widespread interest in him, and while Arteta is reticent to sell a talent who came through the Arsenal academy, he faces a battle to retain him.

Pulisic, meanwhile, has hinted that he is ready to act as an agent to help Milan sign the striker.

“I’ve haven’t spoken so much to him about the whole Milan situation yet but he’s a fantastic player so we’ll see how that goes,” the former Chelsea star explained at his unveiling at the Rossoneri.

Pulisic notably said ‘yet’ – indicating that there is a discussion on the way. Agent Pulisic will have his say.

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Arteta, meanwhile, has said he wants to keep Balogun.

Asked if he wants the player in the squad next season, he replied: “Yeah. He’s staying here with us at the moment and we will see what happens.”

Arsenal fans react to Balogun’s Nurnberg cameo

Arsenal’s opening friendly of the summer saw them secure a 1-1 draw with Bundesliga outfit Nurnberg in Germany, presenting the opportunity for Balogun to impress.

He replaced Leandro Trossard after 55 minutes of the match, and while his major contribution was to miss a huge late opportunity that would have won Arteta’s side the match, fans were impressed with many facets of his game, not least his off-the-ball movement that saw him generate that opening.

“Balogun is special. Dull watchers will scream about the miss but sharp eyes will notice how easily he peeled away from the backline and how well he manufactures a clean shooting angle while remaining in control,” one Gunner said on Twitter.

“I’m not gonna lie, Balogun is the perfect striker for Odegaard, Zinchenko and Trossard,” a second user exclaimed.

Another added: “Maybe it’s shiny toy syndrome but Balogun really moves me. Maybe more than Eddie Nketiah. I think it’s because one my favourite strikers was Daniel Sturridge, and Balogun is a carbon copy in terms of profile.”