ARSENAL have reportedly restarted talks over a new contract for young Gunner Folarin Balogun.
The Athletic reports the North London side have reopened negotiations with the 19-year-old striker with boss Mikel Arteta keen for him to stay.
Folarin Balogun could be set to pen a new deal at the EmiratesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Balogun had looked set to quit the Emirates after a previous breakdown in talks over a new deal.
His current contract is due to run out in June 2021.
The club rejected a bid in the region of £5million from Brentford in January.
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But many believed he would be sold in the summer – 12 months out from becoming a free agent – as a number of clubs had shown an interest in the forward.
The report states Sheffield United saw an offer turned down.
Blades boss Chris Wilder had openly expressed his desire to bring Balogun to Bramall Lane.
However, the England and USA youth international remained with the Gunners.
Sheffield United instead bolstered their forward division with the record signing of another Three Lions youth star in Rhian Brewster for £23.5m from Liverpool.
Balogun made his Arsenal debut off the bench in the 3-0 Europa League win over Dundalk in October.
And the ace – who was born in New York – is being embedded into Arteta’s first-team squad after bagging 15 goals and seven assists in 40 games for the Under-23s.
But he will be able to talk to foreign sides from January and Arsenal could find themselves with a battle on their hands to keep the talented youngster.
There is plenty of competition for places with fellow young guns Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson already fighting for game time.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
