Sports

Arsenal May Sell Balogun To Prospective Suitors Despite ‘Family’ Claims

Reports emerging from the English media indicate that Nigeria-eligible striker, Folarin Balogun could find a new home in the summer despite his superlative form this season.

The Arsenal youngster is currently on loan at French Ligue 1 side, Reims and is topping the goalscorers chart ahead of global superstars, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain.

Balogun has notched up 14 league goals and is already targeting the 20-goal mark.

“Arsenal is my family. But I’ve spent my whole career in England and I knew it was going to be a different test when I came to Reims.

“I didn’t know the language and I’m still trying to learn, but it was important for me to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself.

“That’s the reason I’m here and hopefully it’s a decision that will pay off for me.

“I’ve already reached my target for the start of the season and now I want to do even better and I’m hoping to score 20 goals,” Balogun revealed.

However, that love for Arsenal and hopes of succeeding at the Emirates may not materialise if the report on English tabloid, The Sun, is anything to go by.

The print edition of the newspaper has hinted that the striker who has Nigerian blood and could represent the country at international level despite having played at the U-21 category for England might be sold by Arsenal to generate funds.

The publication noted that the player who is also able to play for England or USA, could be sold by Arsenal as he may not displace the duo of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.

The impressive form of the 21-year-old may not be guaranteed next season and it will business sense to capitalize on his current form.

Izuchukwu Okosi

Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc. In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio. He worked there for 13 years until October 2017. Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch. He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations. Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line. Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.