Arsenal’s interest comes at a time when the club is at a crossroads in terms of their striker options.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang having gone, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah may potentially depart as free agents this summer.
This would leave academy prospect Balogun, who is presently on loan at Middlesbrough, as the club’s sole natural striker.
The Gunners’ manager, Mikel rteta, is looking for two new attackers in the summer, and Balogun’s probable inclusion in the senior team would need the addition of a fresh alternative in the young team who may improve.
Cleary has been offered a professional contract by West Brom and has been involved in first team squads this season. However, the 17-year-old has yet to sign a contract, and this circumstance, along with his spectacular performances, has attracted elite teams both at home and abroad, including German champions Bayern Munich.
Given Cleary’s potential and the club’s propensity to bring out the best in young players, the transfer may make sense for the attacker.
The striker, though, is built differently than any other striker at the club right now. He is speedy and powerful, with an eye for goal, and has been compared to a young Romelu Lukaku.
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