Despite moving up to 17th on the all‑time scoring list for Reims in just 25 games, club president Jean‑Pierre Caillot has ruled out signing Folarin Balogun on a permanent basis, Sports Extra reports. The 21‑year‑old joined the French side on loan from Arsenal last summer to aid his development and secure regular game time in a top‑tier league. Instead, he has emerged as one of Europe’s best players this season.
Balogun has become the standout signing in Ligue 1, netting 16 goals and providing two assists in 25 appearances across all competitions. He is not only the leading scorer in France this season but also ranks just behind three players—Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen—who have scored more in Europe’s top five leagues during the same period.
Speaking to France Bleu, Caillot explained, “I think signing him is impossible. The rules of the game are clear. When these players join us, they are here to improve and it’s a step for them. So even if I’m not deciding for him, either Folarin will return to his club to have his chance, he’ll be loaned out, or transferred to a very big club. He is a player who should go even higher. Obviously, we’ll ask him if he feels good here at his club, but I think that now he will need to take a step up.”
Balogun, who has only played 206 minutes of senior football for Arsenal, is under contract at the Emirates Stadium until 2025. Since the turn of the year, AC Milan, Marseille and Villarreal have been linked with summer moves for the striker, who is eligible to represent Nigeria, the United States or England.
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