The international future of on loan Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun appears to have narrowed to just two countries in the USA or Nigeria after his latest snub by England, OGN reports.
Balogun has 16 goals in 26 Ligue 1 games for Reims where he is on a season long loan from the English Premier League leaders. His form is good enough for him to get a look in from selectors of senior national teams for the upcoming round of international games.
An England youth international but eligible for both Nigeria and the USA through his parents, the 21 year old was snubbed by England’s manager Gareth Southgate in his list of players for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.
The Three Lions boss selected Brentford’s Ivan Toney as Harry Kane’s understudy for March’s international fixtures. That decision appears to have angered the forward with his recent post on social media platform Instagram pointing in that direction.
“In life, go where you’re appreciated”, a post on his Instagram story reads on his verified handle on the platform. His unhappiness could mean narrowing his options to either Nigeria or the USA but the Americans have the lead at the moment.
The caretaker coach of the USA, Anthony Hudson has confirmed that talks are ongoing over recruiting Arsenal-owned striker Folarin Balogun.
Hudson told reporters : “All I’ll say, there is open dialogue with him and his team. That dialogue is continuing. That’s all I can say”. It is believed for family reasons he prefers the USA but for the love of his grand mother who still lives in Nigeria he is also not keen on immediately pledging his future to the team.
Daniel Martins