Arsenal star wanted by ‘many, many clubs’ as ‘genuine’ Gunners interest in La Liga man is confirmed | OneFootball

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that “many, many clubs” are interested in signing Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun this summer.

After failing to break into the Arsenal XI, the Gunners sent Balogun out on the second loan of his career with the England under-21 international joining Ligue 1 side Reims.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, where he scored three goals in 20 matches in all competitions, but his goalscoring record has improved at Reims with Balogun knocking in 18 goals in 29 appearances for the French side.

His impressive performances for Reims have not gone unnoticed at parent club Arsenal or around the rest of Europe with Romano claiming there is now a race on to sign the striker.

Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: “There are really many, many clubs interested in Folarin Balogun. But we have to remember it’s still March and not time to decide the next move. Arsenal director Edu will meet with Balogun’s agents in May/June to prepare the market and decide together. For sure, Balogun wants to play.”

When asked about his return to Arsenal in the summer, Balogun told the Daily Mail earlier this week: “I haven’t thought that far if I’m honest.

“What I’ve been able to do so far, I’m sure it’s making a lot of noise – not just at Arsenal but everywhere. It’s just about continuing that, staying focused and helping the team.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been impressed with his progress and Balogun was happy to hear recent praise from the Spaniard.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Balogun said: “It’s really positive that he could say these things and I mean I’m sure we’ll speak at the end of the season and we’ll have a lot of things to discuss. But it’s nice that he’s watching and paying attention to what’s going on, and yeah it’s good.”

One player who could be arriving at the Emirates Stadium in the summer transfer window is Martin Zubimendi with the Real Sociedad midfielder heavily linked to Arsenal.

On the rumours, Zubimendi recently told Spanish outlet Sport: “Rumors, rumors, because I told my manager that I didn’t want to hear anything, especially in winter. Leaving Real Sociedad aside with the season we are having would be illogical. Here I am very happy.”

But Football.London now claim that ‘reports of interest in the Spaniard from Arsenal is genuine and a bid for the 24-year-old in the coming months is a possibility’.