Conflicting reports emerge regarding pre-contract agreement between RB Leipzig and Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun
Last Updated: January 14, 2021 3:02 pm
The likely conclusion
Folarin Balogun’s future has been a topic of mystery throughout the course of the season, as the Arsenal youngster’s contract inches towards its end. With his deal expiring in the summer, the player has been free to negotiate with other clubs since the beginning of the month, to agree a pre-contract deal which would see him move on in the summer.
Mikel Arteta has spoken confidently in press conferences about Balogun’s desire to remain at Arsenal, confirming that the club are doing everything possible to keep him at the Emirates:
“Again his progression and the use of the time he’s had with us, has been incredibly good, and he will keep having chances when he is with us. Well, you need three parties to make a deal,” said Arteta.
“For sure the club wants to make a deal and the manager wants to make a deal; the player wants to stay; and I’m not sure about the agent.”
Balogun himself has remained coy and avoided any interviews, but has been active on social media. Plenty of Arsenal fans have speculated as to what one of his most recent posts was about. A new contract? Or subliminal messaging regarding an imminent departure? The answer is now much clearer.
2021 I’m coming…🔥🚨 pic.twitter.com/nQhp1CEa2u
— Balogun (@fbalogun67) January 4, 2021
Balogun’s future resolved?
The young striker’s future has seemingly been decided, and it is not a positive outcome for those who were hoping to see Balogun remain in north London.
Outlet Football Insider have published an exclusive piece, which suggests that RB Leipzig have sorted a pre-contract agreement with the player.
EXCLUSIVE!✅
– Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has agreed a pre-contract with RB Leipzig.✍️
– Huge blow to Gunners as he prepares to leave for Germany on summer free.🇩🇪https://t.co/9Lv6TsqmBy#AFC pic.twitter.com/br7zBshEVK
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) January 13, 2021
The outlet has a good record of well-sourced information, and reported on talks opening between Arsenal and Rob Holding over a new contract back in December, which was subsequently signed yesterday:
✍️ @RobHolding95 has signed a new long-term contract until 2024, with an option for a further year
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 12, 2021
If the news is true,and Balogun is leaving for the Bundesliga, he would be joining an ever-increasing club of English talent which has made the move to Germany, including the likes of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund, Ademola Lookman at Leipzig, and even Arsenal youngster Reiss Nelson, who spent time on loan with Hoffenheim.
BAD RAGAZ, SWITZERLAND – AUGUST 10: Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund during a training session as part of the training camp on August 10, 2020 in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images)
Leipzig’s track record of developing young players will no doubt have played a key role in Balogun’s decision, if he does indeed opt for the Red Bull Arena. Players to have emerged at the club include Naby Keita and Timo Werner, who now reside with Liverpool and Chelsea respectively. Furthermore, their ranks still contain some of the hottest young talent on the continent, like Dayot Upamecano, Konrad Laimer and Ibrahima Konate.
However, on the back the report from Football Insider surfacing, well-known transfer expert Fabrizio Romano followed up by suggesting that the German club have in fact yet to make an official bid for Balogun.
Folarin Balogun has received more than 15 bids as a free agent for next summer. His contract situation with Arsenal is stalling, still complicated because he wants to play. 🔴 #AFC
RB Leipzig have *not* made an official bid to sign Balogun as of today. ⛔️ #RBLeipzig
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 13, 2021
Arteta confirms that Folarin Balogun’s agent is the biggest issue in keeping the young Arsenal striker who ‘wants to stay’
Folarin Balogun’s future in doubt with no room for striker in Arteta’s rotated Arsenal squad
This article was edited by Conor Laird.
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