Folarin Balogun has hinted that leaving Arsenal this summer is completely out of his control. The striker left the Gunners for Monaco after holding personal talks with Mikel Arteta following his return from loan spells at Reims.
Balogun had been at Arsenal since he was eight years old. With Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe all prominent members of Arteta’s squad in recent years, enthusiasts were looking to see academy graduates succeed in the Emirates.
The first symptoms came from Balogun, who scored two goals for the club before his 20th birthday. However, he struggled to find other opportunities.
His time at Reims turned out to be a great deal of luck and only heightened expectations that he could become Arsenal’s long-term No. 9. Balogun scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 last season, the fourth-highest scorer in the French top flight.
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But he returned to an Arsenal squad which had just narrowly missed out on the Premier League title. A starting spot was from a certainty and a decision on his future had to be made.
ESPN claims the resolution was left up to Arsenal bosses, lured by the option to promote Balogun for a hefty move fee. Arteta spoke to the American star, but the resolve was out of his control.
Balogun said: “The talks between him and I were good, but it’s more about the club, about what they wanted to do. It’s not up to me.
“That’s how I felt. It’s not something I can control. All I can do is go in, work out, and paint hard.
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“So I did. And then after training, I enjoyed being back in London. I saw my friends, I stood up for my family, and yes, it didn’t bother me. “
Arsenal had hoped £50 million for Balogun to make it the most expensive sale in their history. Eventually, he was allowed to sign up in Monaco for an upfront payment of £25. 7 million, with add-ons bringing the total to £34. 3 million.
Arsenal have also inserted a sell-through clause of 17. 5 per cent, ensuring that they will not miss out on anything if their undoubted potential is realised. Balogun has scored three goals in his first five league games for Monaco, despite two results remaining. in the 1-0 home loss to Nice last month.