Arsenal Starlet Reveals He Was Close To Signing For Tottenham Hotspur

Published: July 13, 2018

Nigerian striker Folarin Balogun has revealed that he was close to joining Tottenham Hotspur before his switch to Arsenal seven years ago.

Balogun, who represented world champions England at this summer's European U17 Championship, was trialing at Spurs before he was spotted by Arsenal scout Alan Knowles whilst playing for Sunday League side Aldersbrook.

Last season, the 17-year-old enjoyed arguably his best season since he joined the Gunners, scoring 14 goals in all competitions for the youth teams and made his debut for the U23s in the Premier League 2.

''I was really happy (joining Arsenal), but I was also trialling with Tottenham, who had expressed an interest earlier,'' Balogun told arsenal.com.

''I had a six-week trial with Arsenal but had to keep a connection with Spurs just in case I didn’t get an offer.

''I was speaking to Spurs again but thankfully Arsenal signed me and I have been with the club ever since.''

Balogun has cited Edinson Cavani and Robert Lewandowski as his role models, he is now a second-year scholar at Arsenal.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com