Folarin Balogun To Return To Arsenal As Reims Rule Out Permanent Deal

Folarin Balogun will return to Arsenal at the end of this season as French Ligue 1 side, Reims rule out a possibility of a permanent deal.

Folarin Balogun has been on loan at the French Ligue 1 side since the beginning of the 2022-2023 season. The Englishman agreed to a loan deal when he couldn’t break into coach Mikel Arteta’s first eleven at Arsenal.

Since he arrived at Reims, Balogun has been in scintillating form as he has scored a whopping 18 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions for the French side.

In the Ligue 1, the 21-year-old forward who was born in Brooklyn, USA to Nigerian parents, has scored 17 league goals which make him the highest goalscorer at Reims and the third-highest goalscorer in the whole league so far this season.

Interestingly, Balogun is ahead of Paris Saint Germain forwards Lionel Messi and injured Neymar in terms of total goals scored in France this season.

Despite how prolific he has been especially in front of goal, it seems there was no option for a permanent deal in his loan agreement with the French club. While on the other hand, his unprecedented performance won’t tempt Reims to push for a permanent deal for the Englishman.

Reims’ General Manager Mathieu Lacour said “The deal was clear with Arsenal and Balogun. We wish him the best for next season” as quoted by French media Foot National.