Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun close to agreeing pre-contract with foreign club

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is close to signing a pre-contract agreement to join a foreign club, David Ornstein and James McNicholas can reveal.

The 19-year-old, who made his senior debut earlier this season, will be out of contract at the end of the season and has failed to find an agreement with Arsenal over a possible extension.

Why is Balogun poised to leave Arsenal?

In his most recent press conference, manager Mikel Arteta addressed the situation.

“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.”

Despite Arteta’s public comments, the player and his camp question the club’s desire to keep Balogun at Arsenal.

Arsenal rejected a £5 million offer from Brentford for Balogun last January and it was initially hoped they could find a breakthrough in talks. The contract offer has not improved substantially in recent months, however, nor has it come close to meeting the player’s demands.

What other concerns does Balogun have?

There are also concerns over whether Balogun has been afforded enough playing time.

He has made five substitute appearances in cup competitions, scoring twice, but has yet to make his first start or appear in the Premier League.

How did this come about?

Balogun is represented by Elite Project Group, who in recent years have negotiated contracts for the likes of Chuba Akpom, Alex Iwobi, Reiss Nelson and Bukayo Saka — all seemingly without significant problem.

In the case of Saka and Nelson, both players were able to agree renewals in the final year of their contracts.

With his current contract less than six months from expiry, Balogun is now free to negotiate with clubs outside the UK.

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(Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)