By Wayne Veysey

18th Feb, 2023 | 7:32pm

Sources: 'Half the Premier League' could bid for Arsenal sensation Folarin Balogun

Arsenal are expecting to be deluged with offers for loan sensation Folarin Balogun this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

The 21-year-old has emerged as a prize asset at the Londoners after goal-drenched Ligue 1 campaign for Stade Reims this season.

He now has 16 league goals from 22 matches this season to put him above PSG superstars Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Arsenal are in no doubt about the England Under-21s potential and believe he has the potential to be a first-team start at their club even though he has only made two starts in red-and-white among 10 appearances.

The club have not made a decision on Balogun’s plan for next season, sources say, and will not do so for months.

But the prospect of another loan has not been totally ruled out by the club’s hierarchy despite growing calls from supporters for the rising star to be a key member of the first-team squad next season.

One source said Arsenal expect “half the Premier League” be be bidding for Balogun this summer, with a return overseas for the youngster deemed less of a possibility.

The Premier League giants are convinced Balogun’s value will rocket during the coming months, especially if he continues to dazzle in France.

He is regarded by club chiefs as capable of being a £50million-plus star of the near future if he continues the progress expected.

The striker has worked his way through the ranks at the Emirates after joining their youth set-up in 2017.

He has made 10 appearances for their first team, scoring two goals and providing one assist.

In other news, Arsenal set sights on ‘best player in Europe’ amid ‘huge’ Arteta reveal