Malick Fofana not joining Arsenal as Sunderland agree deal for Lyon winger
Malick Fofana will not be joining Arsenal, with Sunderland now closing in on a deal to sign the highly rated Lyon winger. Arsenal had explored a deadline day move for the 21 year old and held talks over a potential transfer. Fofana was also understood to be keen on the possibility of moving to the Emirates. However, the biggest problem was always Lyon's asking price. The French club wanted around…
Malick Fofana will not be moving from Lyon to Arsenal, with Sunderland closing in on securing his signature. Arsenal had expressed interest in the 21-year-old winger and held discussions about a potential transfer. However, Lyon's asking price of around €40 million proved too high for the Gunners, who were unwilling to negotiate.
When it became apparent that a compromise was unlikely, Arsenal opted not to pursue the deal. This development left Sunderland in a favorable position, as they had been in talks with both Lyon and Fofana's representatives. With these discussions successful, Sunderland has agreed to sign Fofana on a permanent basis. The Belgian international has been given clearance to undergo a medical, with expectations that he will sign a five-year contract.
According to estimates, Sunderland's offer to Lyon stands at €30 million plus add-ons. Fabrizio Romano, a renowned football journalist, confirmed the transfer and noted that Arsenal had never planned to meet Lyon's €35 million to €40 million valuation. The transfer window once again demonstrated its unpredictable nature, as Arsenal's initial position appeared strong just a day earlier.
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