Folarin Balogun has one of the biggest decisions of his career ahead of him this summer. The USMNT striker will return to Arsenal upon the conclusion of the domestic season in France after scoring 20 goals for Stade Reims.
His goals make him the top goalscorer in Europe's elite five divisions aged 21 or under. In fact, Balogun has scored more league goals than Christopher Nkunku, Karim Benzema, Rafael Leao and Mohamed Salah.
The striker will return to north London with a much-bigger stock than when he left this time last year. But despite his brilliant individual season in Europe, Balogun isn't guaranteed to feature under Mikel Arteta.
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Minutes at Arsenal are not guaranteed with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah ahead of him. There are also suggestions that Edu Gaspar could still look to invest in another forward at the end of the season.
The summer transfer window opens in less than two weeks. Here, football.london assesses the three options Balogun has prior to the 2023/24 season.
Prove his worth to Arteta
"He's a boy with a really clear idea of what he wants to do in his career, really ambitious, really committed and he's really brave," Arteta previously said. "He's got something special."
Question marks remain over Arsenal's options in attack following Jesus' failure to convert a number of chances. Nketiah filled in for the Brazilian nicely during the winter period, but he scored only four Premier League goals.
Next campaign, Champions League football returns to the Emirates Stadium and quality options away from the regular XI will be needed.
If Balogun is ambitious enough, he will have the entire summer to show Arteta why he should be regularly used next season. The 21-year-old brings a different dimension to the final third that Jesus and Nketiah lack with pace and precision in his runs.
That decision will, first, be with Balogun himself. Then Arteta will have a decision to make over his striker options.
Champions League ambition
Possibly the most likely outcome of the transfer saga. Balogun has a long line of suitors ahead of the summer transfer window, and more clubs are beginning to enter the race.
According to a recent report from The Athletic, AC Milan, Inter Milan, RB Leipzig and AS Monaco are all monitoring his situation. With the Gunners demanding £35m, the deal could be worthwhile after his debut campaign overseas.
Three of them four teams will compete in the Champions League next season, meaning Balogun could go from Championship football to regular minutes in the greatest club tournament.
Negotiations and promises will be crucial in any deal, with potential clubs knowing they will have to make the USA striker their star man next season if they are to have any chance of signing him.
Premier League move
Balogun enjoyed a terrific time in the youth teams at Arsenal, scoring 75 goals in 103 games for the under-21s and under-18s. But he has ultimately struggled at senior level, scoring twice for the Gunners and three for Middlesbrough.
It's fair to say the striker has unfinished business in the country and after scoring for fun in France, the option to move to a club in the Premier League could be an option.
Previously, Wolves and Crystal Palace had been linked with him. And whilst neither can provide European football, they both require a prolific goalscorer to take them to the next level and Balogun would fit in perfectly.
Now the 2022/23 season has come to an end, there's an argument that he would be the perfect candidate to replace Danny Welbeck at Brighton. The Seagulls will participate in the Europa League and will need a number nine to perform in domestic and European competitions.
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