In a recent video for the Football Daily YouTube channel, Dougie Critchley spent some time discussing Arsenal youth player Folarin Balogun and explained why he believes the 19-year-old striker represents ‘a cheap, homegrown gamble for a Championship or lower Premier League side to make’.
Balogun has been linked with a move away from the north London club during the current transfer window after he ‘refused to sign a new contract,’ with his current deal set to expire at the end of June 2021. It has been claimed that Arsenal are ‘demanding at least £8m’ for the academy product.
During the recent YouTube video for Football Daily, Critchley discussed the player and urged “Championship or lower Premier League” teams to consider signing him. He said: “The 19-year-old’s record for the reserves is outstanding.
“After helping the Gunners’ U18s to a title in 2019, he was promoted to the U23s for 2019/20, going on to contribute 14 goals in 15 appearances, despite his age.
“A quick forward who likes to run in behind, he’s been likened to [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang.
“And with his deal at the Emirates expiring in 2021, he’d be a cheap, homegrown gamble for a Championship or lower Premier League side to make.”
Would you be disappointed to see Balogun leave the Gunners?
YES
NO
TIF Thoughts…
Balogun is coming off the back of an impressive 2019/20 campaign in which he scored ten goals and provided four assists in 15 Premier League 2 appearances for the Gunners’ U23s, as per Transfermarkt.
Considering his impressive numbers at the U23s level, as well as the fact he is yet to make a senior appearance for the Gunners, it is perhaps understandable why the forward may feel that he is ready to test himself at a higher level and may see his future elsewhere if his current club don’t intend to promote him to the first-team setup.
It is high praise for the player to have “been likened to Aubameyang,” as Critchley stated, considering that Aubameyang ended the 2019/20 season as the Premier League’s joint-second-highest goalscorer.
Hopefully, for Balogun, and any club that may sign the player, he can live up to those high expectations and if he does, then Arsenal’s alleged £8m asking price may prove to be a bargain.