Folarin Balogun ‘likely to leave Arsenal as free agent’

Arsenal’s England Under-20 striker, Folarin Balogun, is tipped for a free exit this summer following a contract dispute – with Liverpool amongst his many admirers.

New York-born Balogun, 19, has previously been linked with Brentford and Sheffield United, having been with the Gunners since he was eight.

But in describing Balogun’s summer departure as “increasingly likely” The Athletic’s David Ornstein also suggested the starlet favours a move abroad.

Balogun is thought to have re-opened talks over a new Arsenal contract last month.

And although negotiations seem to have stuttered, manager Mikel Arteta is still understood to hope the frontman stays.

read also:Mustafi: Folarin Balogun very strong, intelligent

The Gunners reportedly rejected a bid from Sheffield United last summer.

And Balogun is said to have turned down a £5million switch to Championship side Brentford in January.

Ornstein tweeted: “Although Balogun’s domestic admirers include Liverpool, he can speak to foreign clubs from January 1 & that route is understood to hold greatest appeal at present, particularly Germany.”

Gunners’ fans on social media reacted to Balogun’s possible exit mainly with disappointment.

One said: “A very big mistake if Arsenal let him go” and another claimed: “Absolute joke”.

It was also argued Balogun was “better than (Eddie) Nketiah”.

And on supporter predicted: “We will end up regretting as usual…”

Fellow forward Nketia, 21, is England U-21s’ record scorer with 14 goals but has yet to earn a regular starting spot for Arteta’s men.