Saint-Etienne are interested in Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.

Sky Sports says Balogun appears to have been granted permission by manager Mikel Arteta to spend the second half of the season out on loan to aid his progress.

The 20-year-old has attracted plenty of interest from around Europe, and it is believed that several Championship outfits are keen to add the exciting prospect to their ranks in the short term.

Chris Wilder's Middlesbrough are one of the teams interested in acquiring Balogun's services, along with several of their league rivals.

However, Boro will need to see off the challenge of Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne, who are also monitoring the progress of the Gunners' academy product and have been waiting for the January transfer window to open.

ASSE are in the market for a new striker and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also been linked with his former club.