The transfer rumour mill is churning once again, with Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun tipped to leave the club.

The young forward, coming off a very impressive season at Reims, has drawn the attention of RB Leipzig, who seem to be on the hunt for fresh blood after a season that didn’t quite hit the mark.

Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun (L) fights for the ball with Lens' French defender Jonathan Gradit during the French L1 football match between RC Lens and Stade de Reims at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, northern France on May 12, 2023. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun (L) fights for the ball with Lens’ French defender Jonathan Gradit during the French L1 football match between RC Lens and Stade de Reims at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, northern France on May 12, 2023. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
  • RB Leipzig shows strong interest in Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun
  • The Gunners expect a minimum of €30m for Balogun’s potential transfer
  • Leipzig’s director of football, Max Eberl, highlights the “craziness” of the current transfer market

RB Leipzig’s director of football, Max Eberl, hasn’t minced his words when it comes to the “hot air” swirling around the transfer market, well aware of the machinations at this time of the year as he looks to navigate the turbulent waters and get his hands on the Arsenal graduate.

Arsenal transfers - LEIPZIG, GERMANY - APRIL 05: Max Eberl, Sporting Director of RB Leipzig looks on from behind the DFB-Pokal trophy prior to the DFB Cup quarterfinal match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at Red Bull Arena on April 05, 2023 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – APRIL 05: Max Eberl, Sporting Director of RB Leipzig looks on from behind the DFB-Pokal trophy prior to the DFB Cup quarterfinal match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at Red Bull Arena on April 05, 2023 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Arsenal, meanwhile, have set the bar high – with a tidy sum of €30m quoted as the going price for Balogun.

Now, this might just about fit into Leipzig’s budget, but if Arsenal decide to up their price due to the massive interest in Balogun, the Bundesliga club may have to rethink their strategy.

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It’s a high-stakes game, and no one’s showing their cards just yet given that the window hasn’t even officially opened yet.

Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun celebrates with teammates after scoring during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and FC Lorient at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France on February 1, 2023. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun celebrates with teammates after scoring during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and FC Lorient at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France on February 1, 2023. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images)

One thing’s for certain though, as Eberl pointed out, the English market’s becoming a bit of an exclusive club. “The English market is now transferring very internally because you no longer want to give the money to the continent – that’s how you get the feeling from the outside,” he said.

“The transfer market is crazy. Large sums are there, players are traded, anyone who plays reasonably well is immediately traded with the top club.

“There’s a lot of speculation in there. At the long end, there is also a lot of hot air that you have to endure in peace. We have opportunities because we are a club that is very ambitious, that can grow with Champions League and title ambitions.

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)

“That’s why we’re already noticing that RB Leipzig is very exciting on the transfer market.”

At the end of the day, it’s not all just about the money.

As Eberl mentions, he sees Leipzig as an ambitious club, with a thirst for glory.

As it stands, the future of Balogun hangs in the balance.

Will he be sporting the colours of RB Leipzig next season, or will another club swoop in to claim him?

Only time will tell.

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