Arsenal and USMNT-eligible star Folarin Balogun appeared to be in Orlando, Florida this week, where the American roster is spending its International break.
The 21-year-old has been thriving for French side Reims, while on loan from Arsenal this season, but was snubbed by Gareth Southgate for England’s latest senior roster.
The striker hinted at his frustration with not being selected for the Three Lions senior team in an Instagram story post before pulling out of international duty when called up to Lee Carsley’s Under-21 side.
This has boosted the hopes of many American fans that the New York City-born, London-raised youngster could switch allegiances to play for the USA.
And many eagle-eyed supporters were quick to deduce that Balogun was in Orlando this week after he posted a photo to Instagram Wednesday.
Arsenal and USMNT-eligible star Folarin Balogun appeared to be in Orlando, Florida this week
Eagle-eyed fans deduced that he was in Orlando from a sign in the background of his post
The sign matched the Google Maps street view of Orlando bar, Pups Pub
Social media’s soccer sleuths spotted a sign painted on the front of a building in the background of the caption-less photo of Balogun posing inside an SUV with a friend.
Based on the sign that read, ‘Here to chase tail,’ US fans worked out that the building was Pups Pub, a dog-themed bar in Orlando, with the street view of the bar on Google maps matching the background of the photo.
Even if he does switch allegiance to the USA, it is unlikely that Balogun will play any games for the USMNT this international break.
However, he could make an appearance at one of their games or even swing by their training camp.
The US plays the first game of its international break in the Concacaf Nations League against Grenada on Friday in the Caribbean nation before returning to Florida to face El Salvador.
Balogun has so far represented England throughout his respective youth levels and seemed set to continue that way.
But after the latest snub, the USA, which has expressed interest in stealing Balogun away form The Three Lions, could have been given an extra boost in their pursuit.
Arsenal teammate and USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner recently revealed that he had been acting as an agent for the Stars and Stripes.
The striker recently hinted at switching allegiances after he was snubbed for England’s roster
USMNT fans could be hoping Balogun’s fellow Arsenal teammate Matt Turner could sway him
At a press conference, Turner was asked whether or not he’d been trying to persuade Balogun to join the United States.
‘I’ve spoken to Flo we obviously had most of our preseason together. And I knew going into it that he had some roots in the US,’ Turner said.
‘So him and I developed a relationship pretty quickly. And yeah, that’s pretty much the extent of it, we check in on each other here and there.
‘And yeah, he’d be a great addition to our national team. I think he’s done really well, obviously, for his club on on loan, and we’ll see, you know, the decision has to come from the heart.
‘Because it’s not necessarily an easy task always to come and play in these CONCACAF games. And it’s a tough region at times.
The 21-year-old has been in firing form for French side Reims, while on loan from Arsenal
‘So for us, we’d be we’d be really grateful to have him but his heart, his heart needs to be in.’
It would be a huge boost to the USA , who are in need of a reliable striker, while England and Nigeria are both already well-stocked in the No. 9 department.
The USA could also provide him with the easiest route to the 2026 World Cup, with all but guaranteed a spot on the roster for the tournament on home soil.
In addition to England and the US, Balogun is also eligible to play for Nigeria, the birthplace of his parents.
source: dailymail.co.uk
