Arsenal could sell loanee Folarin Balogun,although the in-form striker has overtaken Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in Ligue 1 for Reims.

Balogun, 21, has stunned Arsenal by scoring 14 Ligue 1 goals this season under British manager Will Still – including a hat-trick against Lorient.

The youngster, who endured a difficult loan spell at Middlesbrough last season, was one of European football’s rising stars but his parent club now face a dilemma over whether he is part of their plans to long term.

The New York-born Balogun, who can play for England, the United States and Nigeria, has just 18 months left on his contract and Mikel Arteta is yet to decide if the striker has a future at the club. club, according to The Sun.

The Gunners should either offer Balogun a new contract or try to sell him for maximum profit before his current deal expires. Balogun boss Still is so impressed with the striker’s red-hot form that he even tried to sign him to a permanent contract in january.

However, Arsenal rejected the proposal, waiting for more time to decide what to do in the summer.

Balogun faces fierce competition in a title challenger side, with number 1 pick Gabriel Jesus yet to return from injury and substitute Eddie Nketiah stepping up in his absence.

It is clear that Arsenal could keep Balogun for the first half of next season to see if he can perform in both the top flight of English and European football.

If he fails to make an impact, Arsenal could send the forward on loan again, but he must do so before he enters the final 12 months of his contract, where they risk losing him on a free transfer.