Southampton, VfB Stuttgart Showing Strong Interest In Arsenal Superkid Balogun

Newly-promoted German Bundesliga team VfB Stuttgart are showing strong interest in American-born Nigerian striker Folarin Balogun in the summer transfer window.

According to information from Fussballtransfers making reference to the Beautiful Game Podcast, VfB Stuttgart are among the German teams monitoring the situation of the Arsenal striker.

But the German clubs face competition from English teams for the services of Balogun, with Liverpool, Southampton and Brentford keeping tabs on the Hale End Academy graduate.

Southampton have brought in some promising Nigerian youngsters from the Arsenal Academy in recent seasons, signing Nathan Tella, David Agbontohoma and Olufela Olomola.

Sven Mislintat has firsthand knowledge about the qualities of Balogun as he was previously Head of Scouting at Arsenal before his appointment as VfB Stuttgart sporting director.

The 19-year-old is refusing to sign a new deal with the Gunners because he has not been assured of first-team opportunities, with the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah ahead of him in Mikel Arteta's pecking order of strikers.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : arsenal.com