Folarin Balogun is expected to complete a loan move to Middlesbrough next week, with confidence of a deal growing.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Folarin Balogun is expected to complete a loan move to Championship club Middlesbrough next week.

Arsenal, Middlesbrough, and the player’s camp are discussing the final details of a loan, with all parties confident of finalising a deal soon.

The fact that the deal won’t be done until next week could give Balogun one last chance to feature for Arsenal before he leaves, with the FA Cup clash away to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Sam Dean of The Telegraph wrote earlier this week that Middlesbrough were leading the race to sign Folarin Balogun on loan, amid plenty of competition.

Ryan Taylor then tweeted that he understands Balogun is expected to complete the move in the comings days, with talks advanced between the two clubs.

It’s no real surprise to see Balogun going out on loan, after 20 goal contributions for the Arsenal u23s in the first half of the season.

Speaking at the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust Christmas Event, Arsenal academy manager Per Mertesacker suggested Balogun was the closest to going on loan.

Mertesacker’s quotes backed up a recent report from The Athletic that Arsenal had decided to let the striker go out on a temporary basis in the winter window.

The only question was where he’d end up, but it looks like we’ll have our answer soon enough.