Arsenal are looking at a more physical forward to compete with their current options up front.
That's according to one report that states that the future of Folarin Balogun, out on loan at Reims in Ligue 1, could be pivotal to how the summer shapes up for the Gunners. No player aged 21 or under has scored more goals in Europe’s top five leagues this season than the New York-born hitman, who has been a palpable hit in France.
Quick and instinctive, Balogun is more physical than the likes of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli – and perhaps even more so than first- and second-choice no.9s Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in time – but should the 21-year-old depart, Arsenal could look to replace him with someone even more imposing at the tip of attack.
The Evening Standard have claimed that Arsenal have "recently" scouted the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dusan Vlahovic, Tammy Abraham and Victor Osimhen – while 6ft 3in 20-year-old Dane Rasmus Hojlund is an option, too.
"Signing a tall, powerful striker would add a different dimension to Arsenal’s attack," the report says. "Gabriel Jesus led the line well until he suffered a knee injury in December, while Eddie Nketiah has shown he is a dangerous penalty-box poacher. Leandro Trossard has emerged as a viable false nine.
"The conundrum is where would Balogun fit into this, but he has given Arsenal a headache with his performances this season."
Arsenal are set to kick off talks with Balogun this summer. The striker is 5ft 10in – and not considered as physical as some of the options on the list – but only Nketiah is taller from the table-toppers' current forwards.
Should Balogun choose to leave Arsenal there will be no shortage of interest in his signature. The Gunners will likely sell if they don't choose to keep him around, too, given that he has just two years left on his current contract.
The striker is valued at €25 million by Transfermarkt.
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Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, sparking rumours that the Gunners could have to fight to keep their No.9. Manager Mikel Arteta has identified nine players who could leave this summer – while Rasmus Hojlund is a target up front, along with Leeds star Wilfried Gnonto.
Elsewhere, Gabri Veiga has been rumoured to be on Arsenal's radar, as has AC Milan star Brahim Diaz. Declan Rice is thought to be this summer's big target, with Oleksandr Zinchenko sharing a word with him when Ukraine played England, setting tongues wagging.
