Folarin Balogun is on the shortlist of a handful of Championship clubs ahead of the January transfer window. 

Namely, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and Swansea City are interested in a loan move for the 20-year-old, but there may be some complications due to Eddie Nketiah's situation at Arsenal, as per Goal.

Nketiah is out of contract at the end of the season and has been on the transfer list for a while, with the 23-year-old unable to agree personal terms with Crystal Palace in the summer.

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set to go to the Africa Cup of Nations for up to three weeks with Gabon in January, Mikel Arteta will need cover options at the top of the pitch.

Should the Gunners offload Nketiah in January, instead of losing him on the cheap this summer, then Balogun may be required to join Alexandre Lacazette and Gabriel Martinelli as first team forwards.

The best course of action for both parties would probably be for Nketiah to sign a new contract in North London, with him still likely to leave at the end of the season, to see him remain at the club as a cover option and to allow Balogun to gain some experience on loan.

Whether or not this is feasible or in the desires of Arsenal or Nketiah, time will tell.

The Verdict

It would be a shame for Balogun to see out the rest of this campaign predominantly earning minutes in Premier League 2 along with the odd substitute appearance for the Gunners.

His chances of getting more than one start, before end of season dead rubbers, even in Aubameyang's absence are pretty slim and his development should be prioritised over cashing in on Eddie Nketiah.

Due to Nketiah's age the North Londoners will be owed a compensation payment even if he does leave at the end of his contrac,t and it is not like they would be able to recoup a substantial transfer fee in January with his current contract situation anyway.

In managing their asset, Balogun should be granted a loan move to further prove himself in senior football.