Arsenal transfer news: The latest Gunners media briefing from Emirates Stadium with updates on Folarin Balogun and Marquinhos’ potential exit.
Folarin Balogun’s future atArsenalcontinues to be unclear. The striker has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium for the majority of the summer, yet he remains at the club.
Having featured in the opening two pre-season friєɴԀlies in July,the USMNT star has not played for Mikel Arteta’s side since and was left out of the matchday squad for the Community Shield win over Manchester City. If it wasn’t clear before, he isn’t expected to play a part this season.
Inter Milan have already failed to land Balogun, with their offer failing to reach the £50million ($64m) valuation with their loan option with an obligation to buy.football.londonunderstandsAS Monaco have also seen a bid turned down.
The whereabouts of his future isn’t in Balogun’s hands. However, he has been urged to stay in the Premier League and join Newcastle by former USMNT striker Eric Wynalda. “Yes, I would like to see Folarin Balogun remain in the Premier League,” he told The Action Network.
“He is a talented player with a lot of potential, and I think he would be a good fit for a number of clubs in the league.
“Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace are all clubs that are looking to strengthen their attacking options, and they would all be able to offer Balogun regular playing time. I think it would be good for Balogun to stay in the Premier League.
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“It is the best league in the world, and it would give him the opportunity to test himself against the best players in the world. It would also give him the chance to play in the Champions League, which is a dream for many young players.
“West Ham are a good option for Balogun. They are a club with ambitions of success, and they would be able to offer him regular playing time. They also have a good track record of developing young players, which would be beneficial for Balogun.”
football.londonsays:A move to a Premier League club sounds tempting for Balogun. The chance to prove himself in the world’s best league and come back to haunt Arsenal would be magical for the striker.
The only problem is, there is no genuine interest. Newcastle have Callum Wilson and Aleksander Isak and Aston Villa have a proven goalscorer in Ollie Watkins. Only clubs in Europe have made formal bids.
WhereBalogungoes shouldn’t really matter. Last season’s prolific season in France means he is more than capable of performing in the top leagues. Inter, AS Monaco and RC Lens are all in European competitions next season and look set to guarantee him minutes.
We should not forget, Arsenal are yet to receive a bid that gets anywhere near their valuation. Until then, he isn’t going anywhere.
One player who is very close to completing a move away from Arsenal is Marquinhos. The Brazilian winger is expected to spєɴԀ another period out on loan this season, with Ligue 1 side Nantes reaching an agreement.
According to L’Equipe, the French side will have the 20-year-old in their ranks for the 2023/24 season, but there is no option to make the switch permanent. It’s said that the club discussed a possible €12million (£10.3m) option to purchase with a €22million (£18.9m) buyback clause, though the details were not included.
Marquinhos, who was once compared to Bukayo Saka by Martin Keown, will be hoping to follow Balogun and impress in France. His life in north London is yet to lift off the ground, but a full season of playing could be vital.
football.londonsays:Leandro Trossard’s impressive pre-seasonmeans minutes look set to be hard to come by for Marquinhos. His lack of minutes in Arteta’s squad means a loan move is the best option for the Brazilian at this stage of his career.
The hope will be that he can impress in France and then either come into Arsenal’s ρłɑɴs next season or be sold on for profit. Ligue 1 is a difficult division but Marquinhos will be hoping to replicate Balogun’s 10 months in the country.
Of course, the aim of the loan for Arsenal will be to toughen the winger up and make him a valuable member of Arteta’s squad. William Saliba’s loan period in France worked a treat and he’s now vital. Could we see the same with Marquinhos?
