Spurs to try again for €50m Arsenal target Malick Fofana after transfer was blocked on Deadline Day.
Thomas Frank’s Spurs won’t drop the Fofana pursuit, Arsenal also lurking
Tottenham had their first shot at Malick Fofana blocked when Lyon refused to sell late in the summer. The Ligue 1 side simply didn’t have enough time to find a replacement, leaving Spurs frustrated after a last-minute push.
Now, reports suggest Tottenham are lining up another move in January with Lyon expected to demand around €50m. At just 20 years old, Fofana has already caught the eye with his direct pace and sharp decision-making. These are the kind of qualities Thomas Frank craves in his front line.
Spurs have already brought in fresh talent earlier. But, the injuries to James Maddison and the exit of Son Heung-min have left the squad short of spark. A player like Fofana feels tailor-made to lift the tempo.
Competition heating up across Europe
The tricky part for Spurs is that they’re not alone in this chase. Arsenal were already linked strongly with Fofana, and they remain in the mix even after landing new wingers this season. Liverpool have tracked him as well, while Inter Milan and Bayern Munich are believed to admire him as well.
Chelsea and Napoli have also been name-checked. This is proving just how highly rated the Belgian youngster is. Lyon will be braced for a bidding war if they finally open the door in January.
For Arsenal and Spurs, winning this tug-of-war could be more than just a transfer victory. It would be a statement that they can beat Europe’s big hitters to a rising star.
Author’s Opinion:
If Tottenham or Arsenal are serious about competing at the top, this is the kind of deal they need to get over the line. Fofana won’t come cheap, but his ceiling is worth the gamble.