Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun emerges as Reims transfer target to replace Hugo Ekitike after PSG move 

ARSENAL striker Folarin Balogun is reportedly being eyed up by French side Reims. The Gunners forward spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship outfit Middlesbrough where he scored three goals. 1 Balogun has struggled for first team minutes at ArsenalCredit: Getty Now he has returned to Arsenal, but with the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira coming into the squad, opportunities in the attacking third appear few and far between. And according to L'Equipe, he is now being lined up as a replacement for Hugo Ekitike at Reims. Ekitike joined the French champions earlier this summer for £30million after netting 11 times in 26 games last season. Now Reims have made a shortlist of strikers who could fill his shoes - with Balogun thought to be one of them. Balogun's contract does not expire at the Emirates until 2025. However, he has received just 10 first team appearances since being promoted into the squad from the youth set-up at the start of the 2020/21 campaign. As a result of his lack of minutes, Balogun may feel a move to Reims is a chance for him to get more game time. With that said, Reims are not looking to break the bank for Ekitike's successor. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply) And with three years left on his current deal, that could make agreeing a fee a difficult task. Reims are also reportedly looking at Genoa’s Aleksander Buksa and Genk's Junya Ito. The Ligue 1 outfit finished last season in 12th place.

Folarin Balogun 

©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. View our online Press Pack. For other inquiries Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click here.

Arsenal striker Balogun appreciates Keown praise 

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun credits watching Ian Wright videos for his finishing ability. Former Gunners defender Martin Keown likened Balogun to the club legend last season and the 20-year-old revealed he spent hours watching videos of the former striker. "It was obviously nice to be compared to a club legend by Martin," Balogun said. "What Ian's done for Arsenal is amazing, what he's done in his career is amazing. "Growing up I looked at Ian Wright, looked at his game, taken things from his game. "I've just got to carve my own name out like he did."

Meet the Author

View Profile

---

Arthur Emmanuel

Blogger

follow me