Championship Side ‘Leading The Race’ To Land Folarin Balogun On Loan

Middlesbrough are reportedly favourites to land Folarin Balogun on loan…

Middlesbrough are leading the race to land Folarin Balogun on loan until the end of the season with the club seeking first-team opportunities for the striker, The Telegraph’s Sam Dean reports.

Also in this, I’m told Middlesbrough are currently leading the race to sign Folarin Balogun on loan (amid plenty of competition).

— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) January 4, 2022

The Athletic reported in December that the club was searching for a loan move for the 20-year-old striker as he looks to take the next step in his development.

Balogun has outgrown U23s football and has demonstrated that by becoming the Premier League 2’s record goalscorer with 36 goals.

The England U21 international has been given some first-team opportunities, none greater than when he was thrust into the starting XI for our opening league game of the season against Brentford.

His lack of experience was evident on that occasion and a loan move seems crucial. Balogun was recently linked with a loan move to Nottingham Forest who may well still be interested in the New York-born prodigy.

Middlesbrough, managed by Chris Wilder, are reportedly leading the pack with the former Sheffield United manager making a move for Balogun for the second time.

During the extended summer transfer window of 2020, it was reported that The Blades had a £3m bid rejected by Arsenal as Balogun neared the end of his contract (via the Daily Mail).

The Hale End graduate has since signed a long-term contract and is now following a pathway constructed by the club which should hopefully see him become a first-team regular.