Arsenal set Folarin Balogun asking price after impressive loan spell, fans could be disappointed

Arsenal have set their asking price for striker Folarin Balogun amid his impressive loan spell at Reims, according to a new report.

Balogun has netted 18 Ligue 1 goals for the French side this season, and has benefitted hugely from the management of Will Still.

Only two players - PSG's Kylian Mbappe and Lille's Jonathan David - have scored on more occasions than the 21-year-old, who is staking his claim for an Arsenal first team spot next season.

Whether Balogun's long-term future remains at the Emirates Stadium is still unclear, however, with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah currently Arsenal's two senior centre forwards.

Only manager Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff will know whether the striker has done enough to overtake or compete with his two counterparts next season.

And a new report claims that Arsenal may consider selling Balogun this summer.

Arsenal 'set Balogun asking price'

According to a report from The Sun, Arsenal have set Balogun's asking price at just £26.5 million.

Given his impressive form at Reims, some may be slightly disappointed by that figure, with the Gunners potentially able to get a higher fee than that for one of their top young stars.

The figure will surely interest teams from across Europe, with The Athletic's David Ornstein claiming that Inter Milan, AC Milan and Marseille are among the clubs keen on offering Balogun a starting XI spot in their sides.

There have been conflicting reports, however, with Sky Germany claiming that Arsenal will ask for a fee of more than €40 million (£35 million) instead.

RB Leipzig are said to be another club interested in signing the striker, with the Bundesliga giants eyeing a replacement for the seemingly Chelsea-bound star Christopher Nkunku.

The Frenchman has scored 52 league goals since the beginning of last season, but Fabrizio Romano claims that he has signed a contract with the Blues ahead of a summer move.

Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Transfers

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.