Football site 90Min claim as many as five Premier League clubs are eyeing a move for Arsenal star Folarin Balogun this summer as he continues to shine in Ligue 1 with Stade Reims – and Leeds should throw their hat into the ring.
New York-born Balogun, 21, joined Reims on loan in the summer after managing just 10 senior outings for Arsenal, and struggling on loan at Middlesbrough. But he has blossomed in France under the guidance of boss Will Still.
Indeed, Balogun has netted 19 goals in 31 games for Reims – sitting joint second in the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts alongside Alexandre Lacazette. He has just one goal less than France captain Kylian Mbappe in the league this year.
Little surprise that interest is generating ahead of the summer window. Brentford, Leicester City, Wolves, Everton and Crystal Palace are all said to be taking a look at the Arsenal-owned ace, who is rated in the region of £30m.
Five Premier League clubs eye Balogun: Leeds should throw hat into ring
Leeds have options up top, too. But Patrick Bamford’s injury issues have hampered him ever since the 2020-21 season and has failed to replicate that form. Rodrigo is 32, and is about to enter the final year of his Leeds contract.
Georgie Rutter looks promising, but he can hardly be entrusted with scoring goals on a regular basis at this stage. He is going to be a work in progress, and he is hardly a no.9. If Rodrigo chooses to leave Leeds, we need a striker.
Balogun is perfect – of course, if we remain in the Premier League. He is young, but knows the Premier League. He is proven having starred in the top tier of France. The step up to the Premier League is big, but he has the tools.
If Leeds do allow either Bamford or Rodrigo to leave the club this summer, then Balogun should be the first name on Victor Orta’s list as a replacement. That is of course, if Leeds stay up – and Orta remains in his position at Leeds.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
