Per Mertesacker provides update on Folarin Balogun future

Arsenal academy manager Per Mertesacker has claimed that Folarin Balogun is likely to leave the Emirates Stadium on loan during the January transfer window.

The 20-year-old has scored 14 times in 11 Premier League 2 appearances this season but has only featured on three occasions for his London club's first team this term.

Balogun has not even made a Premier League squad since the clash with Chelsea on August 22, and Mertesacker has said that the youngster could head out on loan at the start of next year.

"I think the closest, at the moment, to make that step is Flo Balogun. He's transferred in to the first team dressing room," football.london quotes Mertesacker as saying.

"He still plays 23s football and probably most likely will go on loan in January because you need extra exposure to get to that next level so he needs to make that transition."

The England Under-21s international, who joined Arsenal at the age of eight, signed a new deal at the Emirates Stadium in April, penning a contract until June 2025.