“I’m open to playing for Nigeria” – Folarin Balogun

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is refusing to shut the door on switching international allegiance as he has revealed that he’s open to playing for Nigeria.

The footballer who is on loan at French club Reims from Arsenal has represented England at four different youth levels and has also netted seven times in 13 games for England’s Under-21s.

The New York-born starlet is also the joint fifth-highest scorer in Ligue 1 with seven goals, one ahead of Lionel Messi and equal with former Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette.

Balogun told BBC Sport Africa that he’s got love for Nigeria and open to anything because Nigeria is very close to his heart. He however noted that he is yet to hear anything from the West African country.

He said;

“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.”