Will Folarin Balogun play in the MLS All-Star Game?

Folarin Balogun has returned to Arsenal this summer after a productive season with Reims in Ligue 1. The 22-year-old scored 21 goals in the league during his first season of regular top flight football, finishing as Ligue 1′s fourth-highest scorer.

Arsenal fans have been eagerly awaiting his return and will be anxious to see him in club colours on a regular basis. The Gunners travel to the United States for their pre-season tour and will by this year’s opposition for the 2023 MLS All-Star Game.

Balogun will be involved in the All-Star Game, and has even been named as one of the players to compete in the All Star Skill Challenges.

The Skill Challenges will see players from both teams competing across five different disciplines designed to test their in-game attribute. Balogun will compete in the Shooting, Cross & Volley and Crossbar challenges as part of the 18 July event.

Is Folarin Balogun in talks for Chelsea transfer?

On Friday reports in England claimed that Balogun is the subject of interest from Chelsea, who are looking to bring in a central striker this summer.

The Premier League side are in the process of a major overhaul of the squad and have already moved on a number of big names. Kai Havertz, who has often been deployed as a central striker during his time at Chelsea, signed for Arsenal last month, following the move made by Jorginho in January.

There is clearly a good working relationship between the two clubs, but it would take a significant offer for Arsenal to part with Balogun after such a successful season in France.

The Mirror claims that Arsenal would demand at least £50 million ($64m) for the player’s services this summer.

Will Folarin Balogun stay at Arsenal?

For all the interest surrounding the young star, it seems that he is eager to remain at the club that he joined as a 7-year-old. Balogun signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in 2019 and made his debut in the Europa League the following year.

Now, with a proven goal-scoring record in a top European league, he is looking to establish himself at a top club.

“What I can say is that I definitely won’t go on loan again,” Balogun said last month, after the conclusion of his spell in France. “I’m not sure [about] the discussions that are going to take place, I’m not sure what’s going to happen.

“But I’m just committed to now, I try to stay present. I obviously want to enjoy the moment with my team and my family.”

For all their attacking talents, Arsenal don’t really have a world class number nine in their squad. In coming Havertz is expected to feature in a midfield role, and neither Gabriel Jesus nor Eddie Nketiah got close to the 20-goal mark last season.

Earlier this year Arteta was full of praise for the young striker: “I’m really happy for him because he deserves what he’s getting.”

“He’s got something special, that’s why we decided to give him a long-term contract and have faith in him and give him the long period that he needs now.”