Folarin Balogun has sent a message to Arsenal after sealing his U.S. national team debut with a goal and a trophy: play me or sell me.
Balogun earned his first USMNT cap against Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal and on Sunday, he scored his first goal in a 2-0 win against Canada in the final.
The 21-year-old’s international debut followed a breakout club season during which he scored 21 Ligue 1 goals with Reims while on loan from Arsenal.
The striker’s exploits in France have made his club future a major talking point as he prepares to return to his parent club. Will Arsenal, which also counts Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in its striker ranks, give Balogun a chance in 2023-24?
Plenty of clubs across Europe are looking to test Arsenal’s resolve over the summer, with AC Milan, Inter, and RB Leipzig among the clubs linked with a permanent move for Balogun.
Speaking to reporters after the USMNT’s Nations League triumph on Sunday, Balogun did not indicate where he’d prefer to play next season but he was clear he did not want to go out on another loan.
“I’m not sure [about] the discussions that are going to take place,” he said after the win. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen. But I’m just committed to now; I try to stay present. I obviously want to enjoy the moment with my team and my family.
“What I can say is that I definitely won’t go on loan again.”
Balogun signed a four-year contract with the Gunners in 2021, but has made just 10 senior appearances for the club so far. He spent the second half of the 2021-22 season on loan at Middlesbrough before his breakout season with Reims.
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