"We could be in that situation again..." - Ornstein sends Arsenal warning over key player

David Ornstein warned Arsenal they will need to decide on striker Folarin Balogun's future in the summer.

Balogun has been in blistering form while on loan at Ligue 1 club Reims. The forward is currently the top scorer of France’s top-flight, ahead of seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi and France’s World Cup sensation Kylian Mbappe.

Indeed, the 21-year-old netted a hat-trick against Lorient on Wednesday, just days after scoring a 96th-minute equaliser against table toppers Paris Saint-Germain.

Only Erling Haaland (25) and Harry Kane (16) have scored more goals in Europe's top five leagues than Balogun’s 14.

The England youth international is due to return to Arsenal at the end of the season, though transfer guru Ornstein warned the Gunners they could have a potential contract issue upon his return.

Balogun’s Arsenal contract

While Balogun’s Arsenal deal runs for another two-and-a-half years, he is behind the in-form Eddie Nketiah and £45million summer signing Gabriel Jesus in Mikel Arteta’s pecking order.

Speaking on the FIVE YouTube channel, Ornstein suggested that Arsenal have a big decision regarding what lies ahead for the youngster.

The journalist said: “I think there’s only a couple of years left on his contract, so it’s a situation that Arsenal are going to have to look at.

“But clearly, he looks a top prospect who – for club and also for country, I’m sure – has a great future ahead of him.

“Arsenal will hope that’s with [them], but it looks like they’ll need to tie him down for longer.

“I remember there was a big contract story involving him, I was reporting on it myself, but we could be in that situation again, the way he’s going.

“And if Arsenal manage to hold on to him, it looks like they’ve got someone prolific on their hands for the long term.”

After much deliberation from the player, Balogun put pen to paper on a four-year deal with Arsenal back in April 2021.