ARSENAL sensation Folarin Balogun has reportedly agreed to join RB Leipzig in a major blow to Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners youngster, 19, is out of contract at the end of the season.
Folarin Balogun is a transfer target for RB Leipzig with his Arsenal contract expiring this summerCredit: Reuters
Therefore he will be able to leave on a free transfer come June as things stand.
And according to Football Insider, an Arsenal source has confirmed a pre-contract deal was in place.
Balogun is yet to put pen to paper on the offer from the German giants but could become the latest English youngster to swap the Premier League for the Bundesliga.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side sit second in the table and take on Liverpool in the Champions League last 16 after progressing at the expense of Manchester United.
He has impressed when given his chance by Arteta this season – in his five senior Arsenal appearances, he has two goals, both coming in Europa League wins.
Reports suggested as many as 15 clubs were hoping to sign Balogun and had put offers on the table – with Swansea and Liverpool among those thought to be interested.
With his contract situation up in the air, it has been claimed that Balogun is one of 11 players that have been made ‘dispensable’ by Arteta.
Speaking about his England Under-20 international striker’s future, Arteta recently said extension negotiations were underway but questioned the agent handling things from the player’s side.
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The Spaniard said: “His progression and the use of the time he’s had with us, has been incredibly good, and he will keep having chances when he is with us.
“Well, you need three parties to make a deal. For sure the club wants to make a deal, the manager wants to make a deal, the player wants to stay and I’m not sure about the agent.
“I’m not saying he’s stopping it but we need to find an agreement with him.
“We are negotiating in the end with an agent, and a player who wants to stay at the club.
“I’m telling you we are doing everything we can to keep him here.
“And hopefully from the other side they are doing the same and they are defending the same interests – which is the player’s interests, which is to stay at the football club and successful with us.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
