Arsenal Targets Lyon’s Malick Fofana Ahead of Transfer Deadline
Arsenal is contemplating a move for Lyon winger Malick Fofana before the transfer window closes on Tuesday. The Premier League champions have shown interest in the 21-year-old forward since last summer, as they look to bolster their attacking options.
Mikel Arteta’s team recently sold Gabriel Martinelli to Al Hilal for a record fee of £60 million, and Gabriel Jesus is in discussions to join Barcelona for approximately £8.5 million. With these departures, there is urgency for Arsenal to strengthen their squad.
Lyon is under pressure to sell players after failing to qualify for the Champions League, making Fofana one of their most valuable assets. The Belgian international, who excels on the left wing and can play in various attacking positions, might be available for around £50 million.
Arsenal has already enhances its roster with left-sided attacker Christos Tzolis after transferring Leandro Trossard to Besiktas earlier this summer. Furthermore, Arteta remains eager to sign a top-tier attacking player this season, previously pursuing Vinicius Jr before he opted to extend his contract with Real Madrid.
In addition to Fofana, Arsenal is also eyeing Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez. However, as the transfer deadline looms, time is running short for the Gunners to negotiate what would be a club-record deal for the Argentine international.
Given Atletico’s reluctance to part with their star player, Arsenal is refocusing on Fofana, reviving their long-standing interest. Last summer, numerous clubs—including Chelsea, Liverpool, Fulham, and Nottingham Forest—reached out to Lyon regarding Fofana, alongside interest from top European teams such as Bayern Munich, Leipzig, and Napoli.
Arsenal are considering a move for Lyon winger Malick Fofana before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Arsenal’s interest in the 21-year-old forward stretches back to last summer as the Premier League champions weigh up a move for a wide attacker.
Olympique Lyonnais’s Malick Fofana celebrates scoring against Toulouse (Reuters)
Mikel Arteta’s side have sold Gabriel Martinelli to Al Hilal for a record £60m while Gabriel Jesus is in talks to join Barcelona for around £8.5m.
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There is a need for Lyon to sell after the French side failed to qualify for the Champions League and Fofana is one of their brightest assets.
The Belgium international, who can play across the front line but favours the left wing, could be available for around £50m.
Arsenal have added left-sided attacker Christos Tzolis to their attack after selling Leandro Trossard to Besiktas earlier in the window.
Arteta has also wanted to sign a marquee attacking name this summer and the Gunners pursued Vinicius Jr before he extended his Real Madrid contract.
Arsenal are also interested in Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, but time is running out to agree what would be a club-record deal for the Argentina international.
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The Gunners have been aware that Alvarez may not join, with Atletico refusing to sell their star, and so they have returned to their long-standing interest in Fofana.
All of Chelsea, Liverpool, Fulham and Nottingham Forest contacted Lyon about Fofana’s availability last summer, to go with Bayern Munich, Leipzig and Napoli in Europe.
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