Charles Watts, who is the Arsenal correspondent for Goal, discussed Folarin Balogun and the likelihood of him signing a new contract with the Gunners during a video that the journalist recently posted on his official YouTube channel.
Back in July, it was reported that the 19-year-old centre forward ‘has refused to sign a new contract after failing to get assurances of a pathway into the first team,’ with his current deal at the Emirates set to expire in less than 12 months.
However, while it had previously been reported that the Gunners have set an asking price of £8m for the player, more recently, the Daily Mail have claimed that Arsenal value Balogun at £15m, with the north London club said to have rejected a £5m bid from Brentford for him back in January and with Sheffield United said to have had a £3m bid rejected for the player more recently.
During this recent YouTube video, Watts was asked if the Gunners are “being tough on the selling price of Balogun because they’re trying to renew his contract,” to which the journalist replied: “I don’t think so, I think Arsenal just don’t want to let go of Balogun for a very low price.
“I still expect Balogun, probably, to go, I’m not expecting him suddenly to sign a new contract but while he’s still at the club, there’s always a chance of that. They could have a change of thinking.
“Last time that I was speaking to someone about Balogun, the situation hadn’t changed. Talks had stopped over a new contract, Arsenal felt what they’d offered him before was fair, he obviously didn’t think that and his people didn’t think that, and nothing’s really changed, for me.
“I still think the most likely option is that he does go.”
Is £15m a fair valuation of Folarin Balogun?
YES
NO
TIF Thoughts…
So, as can be seen in what Watts had to say, it appears as though Balogun is not looking likely to remain at the Emirates for much longer.
The 19-year-old has scored 38 goals and provided eight assists in 41 appearances for the Gunners’ U18s and he has scored 13 goals and provided four assists in 31 appearances for Arsenal at U23 level, so it may be understandable why Arsenal “don’t want to let go of Balogun for a very low price,” however, considering that he is yet to make a senior appearance for the club, we feel there is a good chance that they will lose him on a free transfer due to their asking price as no club may be willing to take such a risk on a player who is unproven at senior level.