West Ham should move to sign Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun on loan
West Ham United should consider making a move for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun in the January transfer window.
David Ornstein revealed today (6 December) that the Gunners will allow the 20-year-old to leave the club on loan next month.
The Hammers have previously been linked with signing Balogun after David Moyes reportedly watched him in action in November (The Mirror).
Moyes is expected to be in the market for a new striker in January as he looks to add reinforcements to his squad to support Michail Antonio.
Balogun is incredibly highly-rated and was described as “superb” by Mikel Arteta last season, but the Hammers may have reservations over his lack of first team experience.
The England Under-20 international has only made nine senior appearances for Arsenal and just two of those have come in the Premier League.
Indeed, Football.London suggest that the Championship is the most likely destination for Balogun to head out on loan to in order to gain experience.
However, the striker is not just the stereotypical academy player who needs a taste of senior football. He has been on fire in youth football, scoring 14 goals and registering four assists in 10 appearances for Arsenal’s Under-23s this season.
He may already be ready for the Premier League, while his two goals at senior level have come in the Europa League, which West Ham will continue to compete in in the new year.
Besides, the Hammers do not need a striker to come in and replace Antonio, but simply someone to provide competition and act as a backup.
Of course, Arsenal could have their reservations. While they would feel it could be a good opportunity for Balogun to get Premier League experience, they are unlikely to want to let him join a club who they are in direct competition with for a place in the top four.
The Gunners may also want him to be first choice somewhere, which would not be the case at the London Stadium.
If those hurdles can be overcome though, Balogun could be the perfect fit for Moyes’s side.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers need to act fast to sign this 14-goal striker.
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