Why Swansea City should go all out to sign Folarin Balogun on loan
According to the Daily Mail (h/t The Sun), Swansea City have been credited with an interest in highly-rated teenage Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun as Steve Cooper looks to beef up his artillery during the January window.
The 19-year-old’s future in North London has been the subject of widespread speculation over the past year or so. Balogun made his senior debut for the Gunners in the Europa League back in October but has already entered the final six months of his contract at the Emirates.
Arsenal are keen to secure his long-term future but the youngster has so far refused to put pen to paper on fresh terms. (Daily Mail h/t Sun)
As per the report, Swansea City are weighing up a loan move for Balogun this month as they look to bring the striker to the Championship with the promise of regular game time. Elsewhere, Liverpool and Sheffield United are keen to snap him up on a free transfer when his contract at Arsenal expires.
A youth exponent of Arsenal, Balogun shot to prominence with his 25-goal haul in just 19 games in the U-18 Premier League during the 2018-19 season. He made a big impression for the U-23s in the Premier League 2 Division 1 last term, registering 10 goals and 4 assists in 15 games.
The youngster has continued to flourish as a regular fixture for the Gunners’ reserve side this season as well, whilst also featuring occasionally for Mikel Arteta’s first-team.
Balogun made four substitute appearances in the group stages of the Europa League, accumulating 2 goals and an assist, despite playing just over 60 minutes. He recently made his debut in the EFL Cup as a late substitute in the 4-1 defeat against Man City.
Putting things into context, Swansea City completing a loan deal for Folarin Balogun this month would hand a significant boost to their hopes of securing automatic promotion. The Swans are currently flying high in the Championship, placed 2nd in the standings, just four points adrift of pace-setters Norwich City.
Swansea boast the best defensive record in the division with just 13 goals conceded in 23 games so far. But they will surely be looking to improve on their tally of 23 goals scored to avoid missing out on an automatic promotion berth.
Jamal Lowe and Andre Ayew have been the key goal contributors for Cooper’s side but they will need others to chip in as well heading into a hectic second half of the campaign.
With Brighton loanee Viktor Gyokeres and Liam Cullen offering very little, Swansea should look at a free-scoring striker like Balogun to provide cover and competition for the likes of Ayew and Lowe up top. The 19-year-old has flourished in the group stages of the Europa League this season after gobbling up goals for fun at the U-23 level.
Read More
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Verdict
Swansea struck gold with a loan deal for Rhian Brewster around this time last year and the former Liverpool man almost fired them to promotion with a flurry of goals towards the end of the previous campaign. Folarin Balogun looks like a player in a similar mould who is just waiting to be unleashed with regular game time.
