RB Leipzig have opened talks over Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, as one of a number of clubs chasing his signature this summer.

Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun (C) shoots and scores his team's first goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade de Reims at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on January 29, 2023. (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun (C) shoots and scores his team’s first goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade de Reims at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on January 29, 2023. (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)

David Ornstein reported for The Athletic earlier this week that Folarin Balogun is opposed to a third loan spell next season, and he also doesn’t plan to extend his current Arsenal contract – which expires in 2025.

The striker wants to play as a first-choice striker next season, and he’d happily do so with Arsenal. But with that possibility appearing unlikely, a permanent transfer appeals to him.

Balogun has no ill feelings towards Arsenal, but with AC Milan, Inter Milan, Marseille, AS Monaco, and RB Leipzig all reportedly chasing him and offering starts, he’s evidently pushing the club to make a decision.

Philipp Hinze of Sky Sport Germany reports that Leipzig are negotiating with Balogun, though there’s strong competition and Arsenal would want more than €40m (£35m).

21-year-old Balogun has spent the current campaign on loan in Ligue 1, scoring 19 goals and assisting two in 31 appearances for Stade de Reims.

That puts him close to the top of the Ligue 1 list of top scorers, with only Jonathan David (19) and Kylian Mbappe (19), having scored more than Balogun’s 18 league goals.

Reims' midfielder Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a penalty during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and FC Nantes at the Auguste-Delaune stadium in Reims, northern France on November 6, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ midfielder Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a penalty during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and FC Nantes at the Auguste-Delaune stadium in Reims, northern France on November 6, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)

On the surface, you’d think that would make Balogun an obvious candidate to come back and play for Arsenal. It’s certainly more goals than any of the Gunners’ current strikers have scored this season.

Yet there are obviously other factors at play.

For a start, Reims’ system is much more focused around providing opportunities for a centre-forward like Balogun than Arsenal’s.

The Gunners’ top scorers are wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, and that’s no accident, with the striker often tasked with bringing the wingers into play.

That’s been particularly evident with Leandro Trossard, who joined the team in January and has provided seven assists to his solitary goal.

Whether Balogun could fit into Mikel Arteta’s side and have the same impact he’s had at Reims remains to be seen.

Then there’s the fact Alexandre Lacazette is level with Balogun on 18 league goals this season.

Lacazette had struggled in his latter days at Arsenal, but he’s having no trouble racking up goals in Ligue 1, raising questions about the comparative strength of the two leagues.

None of this should be used to play down Balogun’s achievements this season. For such a young striker to be making such a big impact in any major European league is hugely impressive.

There’s no doubt that Balogun will be very valuable to the right club in the coming years. The only question is whether or not Arsenal believe they can be that club.