21 March 2023 , 11:18
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Arsenal are keeping tabs on Red Bull Salzburg hotshot Noah Okafor ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners are currently flying in the Premier League and head into the international break with a commanding eight point lead over Manchester City at the summit of the domestic standings. And although Arsenal are primarily focused on securing their first title since 2004, Mikel Arteta and the club hierarchy are already starting to flesh out plans for the future.
After investing heavily in successive summer transfer windows, the Gunners are expected to splash the cash again with the financial boost they will bank courtesy of qualifying for the Champions League again - and Arteta is seemingly plotting to use some of those additional funds to bring in even more attacking reinforcements.
Folarin Balogun has impressed on loan at Reims this season but his long-term future at Arsenal is unclear (Sylvain Lefevre/Getty)Leandro Trossard has already made a major impression since sealing a bargain £27million switch to the Emirates in January whilst Gabriel Jesus has been a hit after joining the club from Manchester City back in the summer. But according to The Mail, that hasn't stopped Arteta from keeping an eye on Okafor, who has made a big impact in Austria.
After plundering 14 goals in 34 appearances last term, the 22-year-old has been in fine form this year for Salzburg and scored against both Chelsea and AC Milan in the Champions League earlier in the campaign.
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Okafor, who is valued at around £25million and will have just one year remaining on his current deal at the end of the season, is also being tracked by AC Milan, Inter Milan and Tottenham.
If Arsenal do decide to firm up their interest in Okafor in the summer, then they could run the risk of losing Hale End graduate Folarin Balogun, who has flourished since joining Reims on loan back in the summer.
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Noah Okafor has impressed for Red Bull Salzburg and is on Arsenal's radar (Getty Images)The 21-year-old has outscored the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar in Ligue 1 this term, notching 17 goals in 27 appearances and his form had even led to suggestions that the striker could be included in the 25-man England squad for this month's Euro 2024 qualification double-header against Italy and Ukraine.
But Balogun, who was born in the United States and is also eligible to play for the Nigerian national team, did not make the cut. Immediately after the England squad was announced, Balogun shared a post on his Instagram story which appeared to hint that he could switch his international allegiance. He said: "In life, go where you're appreciated. Be easy."
And while it's clear Balogun was talking about the England team, his message could also have implications for Arsenal: the striker is unlikely to be content with a supporting role after excelling away from the Emirates.
And with Trossard, Jesus and Eddie Nketiah already on the books in north London, if Arsenal do decide to press ahead with their pursuit of Okafor, then Balogun could be left as the odd man out.