Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says the club are “very close” to agreeing a new contract with striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun has come through the Arsenal academy but his contract is due to expire at the end of the season and a number of clubs had declared an interest in the 19-year-old.
Arteta faced losing the player, knowing it would not look good on the club’s youth development. However, after extensive talks with Balogun, it appears the England Under-20 international is ready to commit his future to the Gunners. “We are very close,” said Arteta.
“We had to understand why he was thinking of leaving the club after he was raised here and then try to explain how involved he is going to be with the project and get his full commitment from the club. We will make it official when everything is done but I am very positive that he wants to stay.”
