ARSENAL prodigy Folarin Balogun has been told to snub England and instead become America’s new poster boy.
The 21-year-old is the joint-leading scorer in Ligue 1 alongside PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe and Lille’s Jonathan David with 14 goals for loan club Stade de Reims.
The Gunners could be ready to cash in on the hotshot, who only has 18 months left on his contract, this summer after his exploits surprised many at the club.
However, at international level, the USA is ready and waiting to convince him to switch his allegiance.
Balogun was born in New York, America, to Nigerian parents and raised in England and is eligible to represent all three nations at international level.
He has represented the States four times for their Under-18s, but he has also been capped by the Three Lions at youth level and has seven goals in 13 appearances for the U21s.
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But with a host of young talents such as Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah and Yunus Musah, USA legend Eric Wynalda says that the forward can be the man to fire his country to glory.
And he is adamant that the US Soccer Federation should be promising him all-sorts of endorsements and incentives to get him to turn his back on England.
Speaking to The Action Network's Wondergoal Podcast, Wynalda, who scored 34 goals in 107 caps, said: “If we get Folarin Balogun him we solve a lot of problems.
“I’m impressed with everything about him. The power that he has, the timing of his runs.
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“We have to appeal to his ego which is the reality of this. We should let him know that he will be a star.
“An absolute star at a World Cup, in his own country as he was born in New York.”
Wynalda added: “We need to lock him in with some sponsors too.
“He will be a star with us. He won't necessarily be a star with England.
“It will come down to how important it is for him to be in the spotlight. That’s the only chance we’ve got to get him.”
“Everything from the Mastercards, the Budweisers, the Coca-Cola’s, the big ones that will be sponsors of this World Cup. They have to figure out how to fit him into the budget.”
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