One-time Sheffield United target set to agree new deal

Mikel Arteta could reward the centre-forward’s decision to remain in north London after months of speculation about his future by naming him in the squad for Sunday’s Premier League fixture at Bramall Lane.

And that could see him go head to head with Rhian Brewster; the player United eventually signed in what has so far been an unsuccessful attempt to solve their problems in front of goal. With his transfer fee from Liverpool eventually set to reach a club record figure of £23m, the England under-21 international has yet to score since leaving Anfield in October.

Despite being free to reach an agreement with a team from overseas since January, Balogun’s representatives have spent the past three months trying to broker a deal which would see their client remain at the Emirates Stadium.

According to reports in the capital, a breakthrough in those talks now appears to have been achieved, with Arteta convincing the teenager he has a future at the club.

“I think I am pretty positive about it,” the Basque admitted, when questioned about Balogun’s intentions recently. “Every time I spoke to him (Balogun) about it, he mentions the same thing and that he is committed to staying here.”

With United languishing at the bottom of the table and on the verge of being relegated, Arteta could choose to select Balogun in a matchday Premier League squad for the first time in South Yorkshire.