Chelsea winger to convince Arsenal star to switch allegiance after being snubbed

After being passed over for Gareth Southgate's most recent England selection, Arsenal star Folarin Balogun has been in talks to join the US men's national team. The potential 21-year-old expressed his concern at not being selected for the March Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.

Balogun has excelled this season while playing for French club Reims on loan from the Gunners. Only Kylian Mbappe of PSG and Jonathan David of Lille have more Ligue 1 goals this season (19 total), and both have 17 from 28 games.

In spite of those great numbers, he was not included in Southgate's first squad. Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Ivan Toney were in the team except for Marcus Rashford who later had to withdraw due to a knock.

This has brought rumours about his long-term international prospects that have been fueled by the fact that the talented youngster is qualified to play for the USMNT at the senior level due to his New York birthplace.

While Chelsea winger and prospective future US teammate Christian Pulisic messaged Balogun amid rumours of a possible switch, he has already had a discussion with interim manager Anthony Hudson. The day after Hudson made it known that he had spoken with the Arsenal player, Pulisic expressed support for Balogun representing the US and expressed his desire to see him play in Europe.

Speaking in an interview on Friday, Pulisic said, "Obviously, I've seen that he's in Florida. I haven't really spoken to him personally. But I know some of the guys that know him from previous teams or whatever have reached out to him and spoken to him. Obviously, from our side, we'd love to have him.”

While he has yet to play for the senior Three Lions, Balogun is still permitted to wear the Stars and Stripes. The 21-year-old participated in four games for the US U18 team and has already demonstrated his dual citizenship.