Arsenal are open to selling Folarin Balogun this summer despite his impressive loan spell at Reims

Arsenal are open to selling Folarin Balogun this summer, with the striker reluctant to return to the fringes after a fine loan spell in France.

Balogun has spent this season at Stade de Reims, scoring 18 goals in Ligue 1 – one fewer than Kylian Mbappe and more than both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

The 21-year-old is due back in north London in the summer but faces being behind both Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in the Arsenal pecking order.

Balogun has two years left on his current deal and sources insist all options remain on the table.

The striker remains in regular contact with Arsenal’s loan manager Ben Knapper.

Folarin Balogun has spent this season at French side Reims, scoring 18 goals in Ligue 1

The 21-year-old striker does not want to return and be third choice for Mikel Arteta

But with the striker said to have no plans to extend his contract or head out on another loan, there is a sense that the time could be right for him to leave Arsenal.

There are, though, some similarities with William Saliba’s situation last summer, when he returned from loan and was linked with a move away from Arsenal, only to force his way into Mikel Arteta’s side.

The club want academy graduates to climb into the first team and shine, in the way Bukayo Saka and Nketiah have done.

But sporting director Edu indicated last summer that selling players will become a pivotal part of Arsenal’s development.

They brought in around £57million selling Joe Willock to Newcastle and Alex Iwobi to Everton in recent seasons but, as the Premier League leaders eye more big-money signings this summer and beyond, there is an acceptance that Arsenal must also cash in on value built in existing players.

Balogun has been linked with a possible £30m move to AC Milan and Arsenal will expect lots of interest in the 21-year-old this summer.

Balogun first joined Arsenal’s academy in 2012. He signed a new, long-term deal in April 2021 and spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough. The striker has made two Premier League appearances, both of which came in August 2021.

Kieran Tierney, 25, could also be among those to leave this summer, having fallen behind Oleksandr Zinchenko in Arteta’s plans. ENDS