Arsenal reportedly remain open to cashing in on Folarin Balogun during the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have enjoyed their best Premier League campaign for two decades, Mikel Arteta's side sitting six points clear at the top of the standings.
With Gabriel Jesus the leading man down the middle and sufficient backup being provided by other members of the first-team squad, Balgoun has been pushed further down the pecking order while he has been out on loan at Reims.
However, the situation is made complicated by the England Under-21 international emerging as one of the best young forwards in European football's top five leagues.
The 21-year-old has netted a remarkable 18 goals from 26 starts and three substitute outings in Ligue 1, that total only bettered by Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David.
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Balogun has performed significantly better than expected, the initial target having been regular game time for a year after an uninspiring stint with Middlesbrough in the Championship.
Instead, Balogun is now viewed as one of the most in-demand frontmen on the continent, and he will have a wide array of options at the end of the season.
According to The Times, Arsenal are leaning towards cashing in on Balogun in order to fund other transfers in the summer.
With Eddie Nketiah on a long-term contract and Leandro Trossard having quickly established himself as a key squad member at the Emirates Stadium, there is little chance of Balogun being any higher than third choice in the pecking order.
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The North Londoners are also aware that Balogun is yet to make an impact in English football, with just two starts and eight substitute outings coming for Arsenal in all competitions.
In recent days, it has been suggested that Balogun has no interest in signing a new contract, which expires in 2025, leaving Arsenal further convinced that a sale could suit all parties.
Balogun has admirers both home and abroad with AC Milan having been linked with the player on more than one occasion, while French clubs will naturally be monitoring the situation.
Reims have also acknowledged that they would like to retain the services of Nketiah, even though they admit that keeping their current star man is highly unlikely given the magnitude of his development at Stade Auguste Delaune.
Darren Plant
