Arsenal’s interest in Malick Fofana stretches back to last year and the Gunners will consider a move with Lyon needing to sell
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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
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.
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.
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.