After signing a contract to stay at the club, Folarin Balogun is still part of Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans but will spend next season on loan with Stade de Reims.

The Athletic were the latest outlet to report that Folarin Balogun was expected to join Stade de Reims on loan, following negotiations at the weekend.

The move has now been confirmed.

The striker had a medical in France ahead of the official announcement on Monday.

As reported elsewhere, The Athletic added that there is no purchase clause in the deal, it’s simply a straight loan.

All documents were signed on Monday night.

The Daily Mail reported that despite the transfer, Balogun is still part of Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans.

Arsenal are letting Balogun leave temporarily, to aid his development, but the Gunners still see a future for him in North London.

Balogun found opportunities hard to come by in pre-season.

The striker scored in Arsenal’s opening game, playing 45 minutes against Ipswich Town. But after another 22 minutes in the next game against FC Nurnberg, he didn’t feature at all in the five games since then.

Arsenal have two very good goalscorers in Jesus and Nketiah. Jesus has seven goals in his five pre-season games, whilst Nketiah brought his tally to six after his latest goal against Sevilla.

A loan would seem like Balogun’s best opportunity to play regularly.