The likely conclusion
The future of Folarin Balogun has been a topic or mystery throughout the course of the season as the Arsenal youngster’s contract comes to an end. With the deal expiring in the summer, the player has been free to negotiate with clubs and agree a pre-contract deal which would see him join their team at the conclusion of the current campaign.
Arteta has spoken confidently in press conferences about how Balogun has had a desire to remain at Arsenal and that the club are doing everything possible in their power to keep him at the Emirates.
“Again his progression and the use of the time he’s had with us, has been incredibly good, and he will keep having chances when he is with us. Well, you need three parties to make a deal,” said Arteta.
“For sure the club wants to make a deal and the manager wants to make a deal; the player wants to stay; and I’m not sure about the agent.”
The player himself has remained coy and avoided any interviews but he has been active on his social media. Plenty of Arsenal fans have speculated as to what one of his most recent posts has been about. Whether it was the possibility of a new contract or subliminal messaging as to his incoming departure. The answer is now much clearer.
2021 I’m coming…🔥🚨 pic.twitter.com/nQhp1CEa2u
— Balogun (@fbalogun67) January 4, 2021
Balogun’s future resolved?
Balogun’s future has seemingly been decided and it is not a positive outcome for The Gunners faithful that were hoping to see Balogun remain with the club.
The outlet Football Insider has publish an exclusive piece which reveals that supposedly RB Leipzig are the team which have sorted a pre-contract agreement with the player.
EXCLUSIVE!✅
– Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has agreed a pre-contract with RB Leipzig.✍️
– Huge blow to Gunners as he prepares to leave for Germany on summer free.🇩🇪https://t.co/9Lv6TsqmBy#AFC pic.twitter.com/br7zBshEVK
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) January 13, 2021
The outlet has a good record of well sourced information including reporting on talks opening between Arsenal and Rob Holding regarding a new contract back in December which was signed yesterday.
✍️ @RobHolding95 has signed a new long-term contract until 2024, with an option for a further year
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 12, 2021
If the news is true and Balogun is leaving for the Bundesliga, he would be joining an ever-increasing club of English talent which has taken the move to Germany including the likes of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund, Ademola Lookman at Leipzig and even Arsenal youngster Reiss Nelson who spent time on loan with Hoffenheim who currently have Spurs wing-back Ryan Sessegnon.
BAD RAGAZ, SWITZERLAND – AUGUST 10: Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund during a training session as part of the training camp on August 10, 2020 in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images)
There is the extra incentive that Leipzig are known for their development of young players which has seen so much success. Players have left their ranks after developing as prodigies such as Naby Keita and Timo Werner who now reside with Liverpool and Chelsea. Furthermore, they still contain some of the hottest young talent on the continent like Dayot Upamecano, Konrad Laimer and Ibrahima Konate.
However, after the report by Football Insider, well-known transfer expert Fabrizio Romano tweeted saying that the German club had yet to make an official bid for the player.
Folarin Balogun has received more than 15 bids as a free agent for next summer. His contract situation with Arsenal is stalling, still complicated because he wants to play. 🔴 #AFC
RB Leipzig have *not* made an official bid to sign Balogun as of today. ⛔️ #RBLeipzig
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 13, 2021
