Sheffield United look to Arsenal to find Rhian Brewster alternative

Sheffield United have made a loan bid for teenage Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.

Blades boss Chris Wilder wants to bring in a young forward to boost his side’s firepower and has made an enquiry for the Gunners’ Under-23s hitman Balogun.

Wilder, who is also keen on Liverpool ’s Rhian Brewster, said: “We made an enquiry regarding the young man at Arsenal and that’s left with the CEO of our football club and Arsenal.”

Balogun, 19, is one of the Arsenal academy’s brightest prospects and scored for their Under-23s last week in the EFL Trophy win over Ipswich.

Balogun, who was born in New York and moved to London when he was two, has been dubbed the new Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, even though he has yet to play a senior game.

Lys Mousset is out while he recovers from surgery on a foot-ligament injury and says the French striker’s absence has increased his need for another forward.

“We have a decent selection of players, but we want to add another one, especially with Lys missing for a little while,” said Wilder.

“I’d like to add another one in there and I’m confident we can do that.”