Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun is unlikely to sign a new contract at the club, according to multiple reports in the English media.
At a press conference yesterday, manager Mikel Arteta said that the 19-year-old was keen to stay at the Emirates but he accused his agent of dragging his heels about putting pen to paper on a new deal.
However, after Arteta made his comments, it was reported that Balogun was close to signing a pre-contract agreement with an unnamed foreign club. Fans are not happy with how the Gunners have handled the situation:
O no .we should not let him go.
— clinton (@slim_icey) January 7, 2021
He was always going to play second fiddle to Nketiah as long as he was here, so can’t be mad he wants to go.
— Harry ????????? (@basedharry_) January 7, 2021
He’s better than Nketiah but hasn’t even started a game yet
— RT (@rxckyt) January 7, 2021
The only case I see him staying is if Nketiah is sold or loaned. I think he'll stay if he's made 3rd choice striker.
— What a Waste (@urusebakaaa) January 7, 2021
This can be another Pogba kinda thing
— Abubakar (@_abubakarkabir) January 7, 2021
simple thing, just sell Nketiah if the right price come like £20m if not then loan him out and let Balogun take Nketiah place.
— AL (@afcxzx) January 7, 2021
Would be sad to hear Flo go.
— Onyeoma Kelvin???? (@OnyeomaKelvin) January 7, 2021
This is sad ?
— Onyeoma Kelvin???? (@OnyeomaKelvin) January 7, 2021
Quite sad that Nketiah gets game time ahead of this fella
— Esco Pablabar (@georgedj51082) January 7, 2021
There is still a chance that this is simply brinkmanship on behalf of the teenager’s agent. It is believed that in past talks involving other players, he has delayed agreement until the last moment in order to get the best deal.
Even so, this does sound like more than just tough negotiating tactics, with multiple teams, including Liverpool, believed to be keen on signing Balogun.