By Victor Kanayo
Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is currently considering switching his international allegiance to Nigeria where his parents hail from.
Already, the youngster has admitted he is open to choosing Nigeria ahead of England amid his sensational loan form for Reims.
Balogun, 21, is now joint fifth-highest scorer in Ligue 1 on seven goals – one ahead of Lionel Messi and equal with former Gunner Alexandre Lacazette.
The New York-born starlet also netted seven times in 13 games for England’s Under-21s, but his parents are from Nigeria.
“I haven’t heard anything from Nigeria, but I’m open to anything because Nigeria is very close to my heart.
“My family’s from there. I always have love for Nigeria.
“That’s a conversation that I need to have with people around me, my agent and obviously my family.
“But if I was asked about the opportunity to play for Nigeria, then I can have that conversation. But first I need to be asked,” he told BBC Sports.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is among those to praise Balogun for both his decision to join Reims in the first place and his performances since then.
