The United States Soccer Federation have been urged to "throw the kitchen sink" to convince Folarin Balogun to play for the nation after his remarkable goalscoring season with Reims.
Balogun has scored 18 goals in 29 games for the French side since temporarily joining the club from Arsenal. Gabriel Jesus' £45million summer move from Manchester City meant the New York-born striker was deemed surplus for requirements by Mikel Arteta.
Not many would have predicted the 21-year-old to have the season he has, with only Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David scoring more Ligue 1 goals than Hale Ender. His performances for the Red and Whites have produced a summer predicament for the Gunners at club-level, but also for the future of his international career.
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Balogun is yet to earn a senior cap for England. He has featured for the Three Lions throughout the youth ranks and had been in the conversation for some to be named in the squad for this month's fixtures.
However, he was not selected by Gareth Southgate despite his impressive goalscoring return in Europe. The possibility of switching his international alliance to the USMNT - who he has played for at youth level also - or Nigeria has been touted, with the U.S interim head coach Anthony Hudson confirming he was in "open dialogue" with the striker's representatives.
Now, with the USA looking to confirm their place in the Gold Cup this month, former USMNT star Eric Wynaldo has urged the Federation to do everything they can to convince Balogun to represent them.
"What do we have to do to get Folarin Balogun? That guy changes everything for US Soccer," he told The Action Network's Wondergoal Podcast. "He will feel he deserves Champions League football. He's worthy of a big club. He's having a phenomenal year.
"I hope he continues to score goals but I hope we see him in red, white and blue jersey.
"They've (USMNT Federation) got to throw the kitchen sink at him and make him a very rich man. We have to introduce him to some of our sponsors and make some commercials. That's the way the world works.
"Look at Aaron Rodgers. Look at how much money that guys made with State Farm. Look at Patrick Mahomes. That's the way we do things in America.
"I wouldn't be surprised if the federation met up with his agent and offered to make him a very rich man."
Balogun will be involved in England under-21s international friendlies against France and Croatia this month. The striker will join up with fellow Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe for Lee Carsley's side.
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