Arsenal are considering a move for Lyon winger Malick Fofana ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline, with the club assessing attacking options after Gabriel Martinelli’s impending departure to Al Hilal and Gabriel Jesus’ expected move to Barcelona.
Fofana, 21, has been on Arsenal’s radar and has spoken with manager Mikel Arteta. The Belgium international could represent a potential market opportunity after Lyon failed to qualify for the league phase of this season’s Champions League.
Malick Fofana’s record at Lyon
Fofana has scored 19 goals in 83 appearances for Lyon, including two goals in five matches this season. He scored against Fenerbahce in Lyon’s Champions League playoff defeat and also found the net in a Ligue 1 win over Toulouse.
Arsenal’s interest comes as Martinelli prepares to join Al Hilal in a €70 million (£60m) agreement, while Jesus is closing in on a move to Barcelona in an advanced €10m (£8.5m; $11.6m) deal.
The north London club have already signed one left-sided attacker this summer, bringing in Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge after Leandro Trossard’s departure for Besiktas.
Arsenal previously explored an ambitious move for Vinicius Junior, but the Brazil forward opted to remain at Real Madrid by signing a new long-term contract with the Spanish club.
Tzolis started Arsenal’s Premier League-opening victory over Coventry City a week ago after an impressive pre-season. Fofana has now emerged as another option under consideration before Tuesday’s deadline.
Fofana’s career and Belgium record
Chelsea made a verbal enquiry for Fofana last summer, while Everton held talks over a possible transfer.
Fofana joined Lyon from Belgian club Gent in January 2024 for €17 million and is under contract until June 2028. He came through Gent’s academy in Belgium and made his senior debut in July 2022.
The winger went on to make 64 appearances for Gent, scoring five goals and providing 10 assists, before moving to Lyon.
Fofana has scored once in five appearances for Belgium, but he was not included in his country’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.
Source: www.nytimes.com
