Arsenal starlet Folarin Balogun is reportedly close to agreeing a pre-contract with a foreign club.
The Athletic are reporting that the youngster has failed to find an agreement with the Gunners and that talks with a side on the continent are ongoing.
Balogun has been mentioned as a Swansea City target in recent days, with head coach Steve Cooper keen to add firepower to his squad for the second half of the Championship season. Liverpool have also been tracking his situation.
Cooper has seen a move for Southampton's Michael Obafemi hit the skids after the Saints youngster picked up an injury in training last weekend.
Swansea have also seen Kasey Palmer and Morgan Gibbs-White return to their loan clubs.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta updated supporters about Balogun's situation at his FA Cup press conference this morning, with the teenager out of contract this summer, meaning he can negotiate with teams on the continent this month.
When asked about Balogun's contract situation, Arteta commented: “Well, you need three parties to make a deal.
“For sure the club wants to make a deal and the manager wants to make a deal; the player wants to stay; and I’m not sure about the agent.
“I’m not saying he’s [agent] stopping it, but we need to find an agreement with him.
“We are negotiating in the end with an agent, and a player who wants to stay at the club, and we need to find an agreement.
“I’m telling you we are doing everything we can to keep him here. And hopefully from the other side they are doing the same and they are defending the same interests – which is the player’s interests, which is to stay at the football club and successful with us.”
The Athletic report that despite Arteta's comments, the player and his representatives are concerned over his playing time and the contract terms on offer in north London.
The news will come as a significant blow to Gunners supporters, who were keen to see him stay at the Emirates, and Swansea fans who were excited by the prospect of Balogun becoming their new Rhian Brewster.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims 15 clubs have approached Balogun.
