Sheffield United have been linked with a plethora of players over the last few transfer windows and one of them, Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, has been urged to make a move away from the Gunners.
It was around a year or so ago that Sheffield United and Chris Wilder had identified the forward as a potential signing. At the time, Wilder admitted that he was a player the club had asked about.
Of course, since then, the Blades parted ways with £20m for Rhian Brewster. For what it’s worth, it’s safe to say it’s not gone to plan for the former Liverpool man.
But the same can also be said for Balogun. Despite signing a new contract in the summer, the youngster has struggled for game time. And former Gunners striker, Kevin Campbell, has urged the forward to leave.
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Balogun urged to leave Arsenal
Balogun is down the pecking order at Arsenal. But Mikel Arteta has pushed Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang to a more central position. Alex Lacazette is also still there, while the likes of Gabi Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah remain.
And Campbell, speaking to Football Insider, believes the time has come for Balogun to move on.
“Balogun needs to go out on loan and get some football. He needs to learn his trade. Under-23s football is just too easy for him at the moment. He needs to go into the trenches. That is the only way he will learn about his game,” Campbelle commented.
“When you play against the defenders in the lower leagues, they have mortgages and families to look after. It’s serious. Whereas it is all hunky-dory in the Under-23s. I’m he will go out and get that experience next year. Then he will realise his standard.“
Blades to move again for Balogun?
Unlikely, as things stand. The problem for Balogun at United is that we already have a wealth of strikers in the ranks. Jokanovic has opted for one up top this season. That’s meant playing time has been hard to come by for the likes of McBurnie and co.
The other risk with Balogun is he’s an unproven striker. Coincidentally, United already have one of those in Rhian Brewster, so the club can ill-afford to bring in another youngster.
If the Blades do sign a striker, it needs to be a proven player. Someone who can hit the ground running, knows where the net is, and doesn’t take time to settle in.
With that in mind, Folarin Balogun is probably not the man for Sheffield United at the moment.
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