Nottingham Forest will rival Middlesbrough for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
John Percy from The Telegraph has confirmed that Forest are in the mix for the sought-after striker.
The 20-year-old hasn’t made a first-team outing since August and is behind several other strikers at the Emirates Stadium.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are all ahead of him in the Gunners pecking order.
That means that a loan move is likely. Several Championship clubs will compete for his signature and Forest are in the mix.
Steve Cooper is keen to add a younger striker to his ranks. Lewis Grabban has nine goals this season, with Lyle Taylor claiming three.
Forest are eight in the Championship and now have eyes set on reaching the play-offs during 2021/22.
Whether that is possible is likely to depend on what business can be done in January.
The Reds were in a similar position during 2019/20. Signings of Adama Diakhaby, Gaetan Bong and Nuno Da Costa did little to help the team and Forest fell at the final hurdle.
Balogun would be a step in the right direction and Forest could seal a real coup.
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The teenager is a really bright prospect and Mikel Arteta has called him ‘incredible’ during the current campaign.
Balogun has been on fire during Arsenal’s Premier League 2 campaign, scoring 15 goals in all competitions for the Gunners.
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He has captained that side and he leads by example every time he steps foot on the pitch.
Having penned a new deal to stay at Arsenal last summer, he will perhaps be disappointed not to have earned a first-team chance.
As a result, going on loan looks like the ideal situation and a move to join Forest could be perfect for Balogun.
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