Marseille keep tabs on Balogun

Ligue 1 giants Olympique Marseille are interested in signing Nigerian Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun from Arsenal next summer.

Balogun has been superb for Reims since his season-long loan transfer from Arsenal. The 21-year-old hitman has registered 19 goals and three assists in 32 appearances, helping his side to eighth place in the Ligue 1 standings.

He sits 4th on the goalscoring charts, just two goals behind PSG star Kylian Mbappe.

Balogun’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, as his displays have turned the heads of some top clubs in Europe.

According to Yardbarker, Marseille are interested in signing Balogun. The Phocaeans are looking to get a new striker as Alexis Sanchez is their main point man, and he is way past his prime.

However, the situation is a rather tricky one for all the parties involved. Balogun is on loan from Arsenal, and while he would fancy a return to the Emirates, he would prefer to move to a club where he can get enough playing time.

Arsenal currently have two good strikers in Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus, and displacing any of them could be tough.

Marseille can provide that kind of opportunity for Balogun, and he can also play top-level football at the club.

But the club would have to meet Arsenal’s €25million-valuation of the player. Balogun’s contract expires at the end of next season, and except if a compulsory buy-clause is inserted, the Gunners may not let go of their man.

Balogun plays for the English youth teams. But he is eligible to play for Nigeria because of his parents. He can also play for the USA because he was born there.