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Arsenal striker Flo Balogun is likely to be allowed out on loan again this season, with the arrival of Gabriel Jesus likely to limit his first-team opportunities at the Emirates.
Now it looks like he could be heading abroad, with Ligue 1 side Reims reported to be interested in him. They have just sold striker Hugo Etitike – at one time linked with Newcastle – and they are looking for a replacement for him.
Balogun continues to be highly rated at the Emirates, and there is no question that the Gunners are prepared to sell him permanently at this stage.
At the same time, there is a recognition that, at this stage of his career, he needs to be playing first-team football for the benefit of his longer-term development and, having seen what a spell in French football has done for William Saliba, a temporary move to Ligue 1 might be the optimal solution for all parties.
The England under-21 forward spent the second half of last season on loan with Middlesbrough in the Championship.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.