The future of Folarin Balogun at Arsenal is a hot topic at the moment.
And deservedly so. There's little debate that the 21-year-old is this season's standout player of the Gunners' loan army having netted 15 times across all competitions for French side Reims - including 14 in Ligue 1 which means he is outscoring Paris Saint-Germain superstars Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi.
If Balogun can continue at this rate between now and May, he will almost certainly give Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta something to think about with regard to finalising his squad plans for the 2023/24 campaign as Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah could soon have extra competition for the central striker role.
READ MORE: Arsenal urged to make Folarin Balogun transfer decision as he outshines Messi, Neymar and Mbappe
Now, with the north London outfit expected to be busy in the summer transfer window amid links to Declan Rice in particular, it's worth noting they must adhere to the Premier League rules when permitted to name a 25-man squad - from which no more than 17 overseas players can be named - with the remaining eight places available to those considered 'homegrown'.
Currently, the six Arsenal senior players considered 'homegrown' are Benjamin White, Emile Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Rob Holding, Aaron Ramsdale and Reiss Nelson. Meanwhile, Matt Smith has also been named on the list despite no official promotion thus taking the total to seven.
In fact, the Gunners' Premier League squad at present only contains 22 players because youngsters Karl Hein, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are all 21 or under, allowing them to be part of the separate list and eligible for the remainder of the season.
However, this won't be the case next season as under-21 players will have been born on or after 1 January 2002. Therefore, Martinelli, Saka and Saliba - if still at the club of course amid ongoing contract negotiations - must be registered in the 25-man Premier League squad in order to be eligible for the competition.
The same applies to Balogun. Born on July 2001 means he will turn 22 over a month before the opening game of the 2023/24 campaign and therefore must be registered in Arsenal's Premier League squad - as a homegrown player - if Arteta plans to integrate him into the first-team picture.
This Premier League rule effectively guarantees a decision regarding the striker's short-term future will be made at some point in the summer transfer window. Either he's part of the squad challenging Jesus or Nketiah, is sent out on loan to gain more experience, or the club decides to cash in with reports suggesting he could be worth up to £50m.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal signing in line to replace Gabriel Martinelli as injured star could return vs Brentford
Premier League make major decision ahead of Arsenal vs Man City with referee announcement
Mikel Arteta told to make Ben White decision as Arsenal dilemma looms ahead of Brentford
Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe: Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Brentford clash
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
