Despite moving up to 17th in the all-time record scorer for Reims in 25 games, the President of the club, Jean-Pierre Caillot has ruled out the possibility of signing Folarin Balogun on a permanent basis.
The 21-year-old’s move to the French club was to aid his development and receive regular game time in a top-tier league but instead, he has emerged as one of the best players in Europe this season.
Balogun is turning out to be the best signing of the Ligue 1 this season has scored 16 goals and has set up two further strikes for his teammates in 25 games in all competitions for the club since he joined on a season loan from Arsenal last summer.
To put that into perspective, not only is he the highest scorer in France this season but only three players have scored more goals than him across Europe’s top five leagues in that period – Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen.
Speaking to France Bleu, Caillot said, “I think (signing him) is impossible. The rules of the game are clear. When these players join us, know that they’re here to improve and that it’s a step for them.
“So even if I’m not deciding for him, either Folarin will return to his club to have his chance, he’s loaned out, or transferred to a very big club.
“He is a player that should go even higher. So obviously, we’ll ask him if he feels good here at his club, but I think that now, he will need to take a step up.”
Balogun, who has only ever played 206 minutes of senior football for Arsenal, has a contract at the Emirates Stadium until 2025.
Since the turn of the year, it has been claimed that AC Milan, Marseille and Villarreal are considering summer moves for the striker who is eligible to play for Nigeria, USA and England.
Credit: punchng.com
