Balogun’s red-hot form could save Arsenal millions in transfer fees
Robin Bairner
- 2 Apr 2022 17:25 BST
- 3 min read
Folarin Balogun’s form on loan at Middlesbrough suggests that Arsenal could save millions in the transfer market in the summer on the search for a striker.
Although Balogun has not yet won the approval of Gunners boss Mikel Arteta with regards a regular first-team slot, given the opportunity to impress in the Championship, he has struck a rich vein of form and must be increasingly coming into the Spaniard’s thinking.
Arsenal, of course, need an offensive overhaul this summer. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has effectively ended his time at the club via an 18-month loan at Barcelona, while both Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette are out of contract at the end of the year.
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It may well be that Lacazette will sign a new deal and that the Gunners will sign a marquee No.9, but there is an increasing body of evidence to suggest that Balogun could be effective as their third option.
The New York-born player certainly had a slow start to life at Boro, recording just a couple of assists in his first nine league matches with the club. Since the beginning of March, though, the 20-year-old has come to life.
Balogun has hit form
A consolation goal in a 4-1 loss at Sheffield United was the catalyst, and he has since netted two goals in his three subsequent league matches.
With England Under-21, too, he has been impressive. He got the opening goal against Andorra in a 4-1 success and then scored twice in a 3-0 victory over Albania four days later.
YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!! #UTB pic.twitter.com/x212oZuVMX
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) April 2, 2022
His fine run of form continued back in the domestic game on Saturday as he scored in Middlesbrough’s 4-0 win over Peterborough. It means he has found the net six times in his last six games.
With other areas of weakness to address in their side, most notably in midfield, Balogun could allow the manager and his recruitment staff to focus on other targets.
Certainly, Arteta will have taken note and will be increasingly considering Balogun as a viable member of Arsenal’s first-team squad next season.
