At least three Championship clubs and one Ligue 1 side are scouting Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun ahead of the January transfer window, according to a report.

Folarin Balogun (2R) in training with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Folarin Balogun (2R) in training with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal.com)

The S*n report that Championship side Middlesbrough are currently leading the race to sign Folarin Balogun on loan in the winter window, but they’re not the only team involved.

From the Championship, AFC Bournemouth and Swansea City are also interested.

Over in Ligue 1, Balogun has caught AS Saint-Etienne’s eye, with one of their leading scouts Romain Barq reportedly watching the striker last week.

There’s no guarantee Balogun will go out on loan in January at all, but it seems there are plenty after him if he does.

You’d think that would be the best thing for him, considering how dominant he’s been with the Arsenal u23’s this season.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Flo Balogun of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Salah Oulad M'Hand after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal U23 and Brighton & Hove Albion U23 at Emirates Stadium on October 01, 2021. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Flo Balogun of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Salah Oulad M’Hand after scoring the team’s first goal during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal U23 and Brighton & Hove Albion U23 at Emirates Stadium on October 01, 2021. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)

Last Friday, Balogun scored his 12th, 13th, and 14th goals of the season, bringing him to 18 goal contributions in 11 games.

Balogun also scored on his first start for the England u21s.

This is easily the best form of the 20-year-old’s Arsenal academy career, and the clearest sign we’ve seen yet that he’s ready for the next step.

But, after his cameo appearances for the Arsenal first team against Brentford and Chelsea, in which he only spent 70 minutes on the pitch in total, Balogun hasn’t come close to making further starts for Arsenal.

It looks like a loan for the second half of the season is the stepping stone Balogun needs.