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Premier League clubs sent out several stars on loan during the 2022/23 campaign and a number of names have made the most of their opportunities elsewhere.
There’s been a whole host of loanees to have impressed after temporary moves in search of minutes and their parent clubs now face a decision on whether to integrate them back into the fold or sell them on while their value is high.
As the campaign reaches its conclusion, we’ve looked at five Premier League players who have smashed it out on loan this season.
Amad Diallo
Amad Diallo has found his feet during a sublime season on loan at Sunderland this season, with the Manchester United winger leading the Black Cats’ push for promotion.
The 20-year-old was named as Sunderland’s Young Player of the Year after a campaign of creativity and goal threat at the Stadium of Light, with Diallo having scored 14 goals and laid on three assists for Tony Mowbray’s side.
Diallo’s contribution saw Sunderland reach the Championship play-offs and he scored a spectacular goal as the club came from behind to beat Luton Town 2-1 and take a first-leg lead in their semi-final.
STOP SCROLLING AND WATCH THIS FROM AMAD DIALLO! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/itCOHhFtjh
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 13, 2023
The Ivorian has shown consistent flashes of the quality that saw Manchester United sign him in a £37m deal after just five senior appearances at Atalanta, with Diallo an attacking talent full of rich promise and potential.
Erik ten Hag is expected to assess Diallo’s development during the summer, ahead of a decision on his long-term future. There could be Premier League interest in taking Diallo on loan next season.
Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun struggled during a loan spell at Middlesbrough last season, but the Arsenal forward has been a huge success since swapping the Premier League for France this time around,
Balogun has banged in the goals on loan at Reims, sitting near the top of the division’s leading scorers list alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Alexandre Lacazette and Jonathan David.
The 21-year-old has scored 19 league goals for Reims during the current campaign and has impressed with his performances under Englishman Will Still. Balogun’s movement in behind and pace have troubled defences in Ligue 1 and his displays have not gone unnoticed across the continent with the likes of RB Leipzig and AC Milan credited with interest this summer.
𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧 @balogun 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 💫@StadeDeReims‘ beast. pic.twitter.com/zqwe2IgRPf
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) February 12, 2023
Arsenal are expected to allow Balogun to leave the club with the forward keen to retain first-choice status, a scenario unlikely to arrive at the Emirates next season given the presence of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
The Gunners could receive a significant windfall from his sale however, as Arteta looks to bring in additional funds to reshape his squad ahead of the club’s Champions League return. Balogun – who this week pledged his international allegiance to the USA despite representing England up to u21 level – is valued at around £30m in north London.
Cameron Archer
Aston Villa chose to keep Cameron Archer at the club last summer after being impressed with the forward’s performances in pre-season, but the academy graduate totalled just 44 minutes across six substitute appearances during the first half of the Premier League season.
Middlesbrough came to the rescue with the offer of a loan and regular football in January and Archer has hit the ground running to lead the club’s promotion push under Michael Carrick. The 21-year-old has scored 11 league goals and provided six assists in just 18 starts for the Championship side, averaging a goal involvement every 86 minutes in the North East.
CAMERON ARCHER POUNCES! 🏹 pic.twitter.com/VB2tFNl2Ud
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 24, 2023
Archer’s form propelled Middlesbrough into the second-tier play-offs, where ‘Boro were beaten over two legs by Coventry City to perhaps end their hopes of signing the forward on a permanent basis.
Unai Emery is understood to be keen on signing a centre-forward this summer following Danny Ings’ departure to West Ham in January, but will want to run the rule over the club’s flourishing loanee before sanctioning a deal.
Jarrad Branthwaite
Jarrad Branthwaite has enhanced his reputation during a successful season on loan at PSV Eindhoven, with the performances of the on-loan defender understood to have attracted scouts from Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool and sides across Europe.
Branthwaite has made 32 appearances in all competitions for the Eredivisie side and has scored four goals, impressing as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side won the KNVB Cup earlier this season.
Embed from Getty Images
His performances earned Branthwaite a first call up to the England u21 squad in March and Everton might just have some regret at allowing the 20-year-old defender to leave on loan given the club’s struggles defensively this season.
Branthwaite’s 6ft 4in frame and comfortability off either foot are attributes that will appeal to interested clubs this summer, should Everton be open to offers. The Toffees turned down an approach from PSV – believed to be worth around €15m – to sign the defender permanently in January.
Nathan Tella
Nathan Tella ended the Championship season as the leading scorer for second-tier champions Burnley, having scored 17 league goals after his loan arrival from Southampton.
Tella has been a catalyst in the Clarets’ immediate return to the Premier League this season, with Burnley having bounced back from relegation last term to secure promotion back into the top flight.
What a finish that is from Nathan Tella! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tjDtVyVj9y
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 20, 2023
The 23-year-old has formed part of an exciting forward line under Vincent Kompany at Turf Moor and Southampton are another side who may just be questioning the wisdom in his exit. The Saints struggled badly for goals from forward areas this season and will be swapping divisions with Burnley after relegation from the Premier League was confirmed last weekend.
Tella could be the ideal candidate to lead their challenge for Championship promotion next season after an excellent campaign on loan in the second tier.
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