French club Reims want to sign Arsenal striker

Reims are interested in signing Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun as they seek to find a replacement for Hugo Ekitike.

Ekitike was heavily linked with a Premier League move this summer, but he ended up joining Paris Saint-Germain on loan.

The French champions have the option to sign him as part of the deal, and they are expected to trigger the clause next summer.

Amidst this, Reims are eyeing a new marksman ahead of next season, and L'Equipe claim that Balogun is a top target for them.

However, it is unclear whether the Gunners would be prepared to sell him, having committed him to a long-term deal last summer.

Reims have no plans of paying a significant transfer fee, and their best chance of signing him could be on a season-long loan.

Balogun is currently behind Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in the pecking order at Arsenal, and is unlikely to feature in many games.

His minutes could come in the Cup competitions and the Europa League group stage where Mikel Arteta may rotate his squad.