Saint-Etienne was interested in acquiring Arsenal star and U-23 striker Folarin Balogun on loan in January after witnessing him perform with the club’s first team. The attacker had done really well in recent times and had made a debut for the first team too.
Arsenal prodigy Folarin Balogun, according to The Sun, is garnering the attention of French club Saint-Etienne, who had scouts observing him during a recent U-23 game. The attacker is still on the roster and will be sent out on loan in January to continue his development.
The decision by Mikel Arteta to play Folarin Balogun in Arsenal’s stunning defeat to newcomers Brentford on the inaugural matchday came as a surprise. The striker has only made one more appearance in the Premier League and has since been sent to the U-23 side of Arsenal.
Folarin Balogun has continued to rise up the ranks
Balogun has continued to score goals in England, netting a total of 15 goals in all competitions this season, 14 of which have come in the Premier League second division this season. Recently, during his team’s 2-1 defeat to Derby County, the attacker scored a sensational hat-trick in front of Saint-chief Etienne’s scout Romain Barq, who was in the bleachers and was pleased by the youngster’s display.
Following his impressive performances for the U-23 squad, many have urged Arsenal to loan him out to a senior club so that he may continue to improve and earn valuable weekly playing time. The Gunners are still open to a short-term transfer for the striker and might assess bids for the forward during the January transfer window.
Middlesbrough is said to be interested in signing the striker, as new manager Chris Wilder is an admirer of the player. He also attempted to sign him before the expiration of his contract with the Emirates. After securing his position at Arsenal, Arteta may like for the club to look for circumstances in which Balogun may play frequently and get valuable exposure in the process.
Saint-Etienne would be a good spot to start looking for a team for Balogun
Given their position in the top flight of French football, Saint-Etienne would be a good spot to start looking for a team. This season, the team has failed to compete and is now situated near the bottom of the Ligue 1 standings. They are on the search for a striker who can provide goals and assist them to climb out of the relegation zone before the conclusion of the current season.
If he joins, Balogun will have the opportunity to play top-tier football as opposed to appearing in the Championship if he chooses to join Middlesbrough in the future. William Saliba, a defender who succeeds at Marseille and plays regular games, might serve as a role model for strikers. Balogun has a great deal of potential and deserves the opportunity to compete at the highest level; whether that is in England’s tier-two league or the French Ligue 1 is a question that will be answered in January.
