Transfer dilemma plagues Arsenal over Folarin Balogun

One certain  transfer dilemma plagues Arsenal’s pre-season and Mikel Arteta following rumors and speculations surrounding Folarin Balogun, one of Arsenal’s bright spark on loan last season.

Folarin Balogun was a notable absentee from the pre-season line up versus Barcelona, with the Arsenal youngster seen training separately from the group prior to the match.

Mikel Arteta however explained the absence as the striker picking up a foot injury that absented him from the fixture.

Leandro Trossard currently is ahead of him in the pecking order, which raises doubts over the striker’s future with the Gunners from this season beyond.

Recent reports from Italy suggest a strong interest from Inter Milan to get the Nigerian into its ranks, even going forward to table a £30m offer for his services.

Arsenal however hold a bigger valuation for their academy graduate as they swiftly rejected the bid

Arsenal holds Folarin Balogun at £50m valuation, showing their reluctance to part ways the United States international without a significant fee.

In a post-match interview, Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta when asked about the potential future of Folarin Balogun at the Emirates, chose to stand on the fence regarding the next steps by the club:

“We will see. First of all, he needs to be fit and play minutes.” the Spaniard quotes.

The political statement from the Arsenal manager creates some ambiguity over the future of the Arsenal star, which as it stands might end up being decided at the latter stages of the summer transfer window.

Folarin Balogun however maintains composure over the entire situation.

And in an earlier statement during the early stages of pre-season, he expressed his relaxed approach to the situation, saying;

“I obviously went away, and the point was to prove I could play first team football. I feel I was able to do that and show people I can play at that level.

“I think with me coming back, it’s not really much of a situation where I think I need to try extra hard to prove something; I think it’s a decision that’s not really with me. Whatever happens, I’m cool with it.”