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Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Arsenal, Football, Transfers, England, Gareth Southgate
Chris Byfield
Topics: Arsenal, Football, Transfers, England, Gareth Southgate
Arsenal star Folarin Balogun has posted a cryptic message regarding his future on Instagram.
The Gunners forward moved to Reims on loan in the summer and has since been a revelation, netted some 16 goals in 26 games.
Such a return has put the 21-year-old joint third in the Ligue 1 top scorers chart this term, just three strikes shy of Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe.
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Indeed, the Arsenal loanee, has scored three more goals than both Neymar and seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.
In turn, Balogun has become a player in hot demand. There has been speculation regarding whether he will play for Arsenal next term or move to pastures news.
Both Milan clubs are allegedly sizing up the youngster ahead of the summer window, and whether Arsenal cash in on the marksman has not yet been determined.
While Balogun has proved himself in one Europe's top leagues, he may see his development stifled at Arsenal if he falls behind Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in the pecking order.
There is also speculation over where his international future lies, with the player eligible to represent England, the United States and Nigeria.
Balogun played for England at U16 level before representing the USA in U17 football. He later moved back to playing for England and has featured for the Young Lions up to U21 football, where he scored seven goals in 13 appearances.
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He could yet declare his international allegiance to Nigeria, the country where his parents were born.
On Thursday, the Arsenal striker posted on his Instagram story: "In life, go where you're appreciated."
Balogun's post came just hours after he was left out of Gareth Southgate's England squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.
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The Three Lions boss selected Brentford's Ivan Toney as Harry Kane's understudy for March's international fixtures.
Toney is the second-highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this season with 16 goals, behind Kane.
England face Italy in Naples on March 23 and host Ukraine at Wembley on March 26, their first games since being knocked out by France in the World Cup quarter-final in December.
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Some fans on social media think Balogun was referring to his international allegiance in his Instagram post.
"Omg it's actually happening," posted one hopeful United States supporter on Twitter.
Another fan wrote: "If he's good enough for England he'd make a big mistake choosing America imo."
While a third wrote: "Nigeria here we go.."
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However, it is not yet clear where his international future lies, with both the United States and Nigeria leaving Balogun out of their squads for the upcoming international break.