Folarin Balogun has a long-term future at Arsenal but will spend the second half of 2021-22 season out on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough; Boro boss Chris Wilder wanted to bring Balogun to Sheffield United when he was in charge of the Blades
Thursday 13 January 2022 15:48, UK
Arsenal have loaned striker Folarin Balogun to Middlesbrough for the remainder of the season.
Balogun underwent a medical on Tuesday ahead of finalsing his move to the Championship side, who will pay a portion of his wages.
The 20-year-old striker has not featured in the Premier League since August but remains a part of Arsenal's long-term plans and signed a new contract in April which ties him to the club until 2025.
Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder tried to sign Balogun - who was born in New York - back in 2020 when he was in charge of Sheffield United.
Wilder told Middlesbrough's club website: "We're delighted to get Flo in. He's a player I've known about for a long time and we identified him as someone who could come in and improve us in the second half of the season.
"He has great movement, good pace, and he's a natural finisher. We're looking forward to working with him."
Balogun was also the subject of interest from Europe, with French Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne among the clubs who were monitoring his situation.
He is not cup-tied so would be eligible to play against Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round later in January.
Meanwhile, there remains no change in striker Eddie Nketiah's situation at the Emirates Stadium.
Nketiah, who scored a hat-trick in Arsenal's Carabao Cup thrashing of Sunderland last month, turned down the club's most recent contract offer and is now able to negotiate a pre-contract with a foreign club.
January is Arsenal's last chance to cash in on the 22-year-old, although they would be due compensation even if he leaves on a free transfer.
A permanent sale in January has not been ruled out, although Nketiah's services could be required as out-of-favour former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Gabon.
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