What happened with Arsenal target Malick Fofana?

Malick Fofana's transfer saga concluded with a £30 million deal to Sunderland on transfer deadline day. The path to this destination was fraught with uncertainty as the French midfielder was initially linked with multiple clubs, including Arsenal. However, by early morning, it became clear that Arsenal were not going to sign Fofana.

According to James McNicholas of The Athletic, Arsenal had presented a loan offer to Lyon, but manager Mikel Arteta expressed concerns over the player's ability to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League. With Arsenal's interest withdrawn, Sunderland quickly agreed to a £30 million deal for Fofana.

Crystal Palace, recognizing the opportunity, also made contact with Fofana and secured a fee from Lyon. The player found himself in a tense situation, spending hours at Lyon's airport deciding between Crystal Palace and Sunderland. Eventually, Fofana opted for Sunderland, who announced the deal shortly after midnight.

Interestingly, Lyon managed to profit from the transfer drama, increasing the initial £25.7 million fee to £25.7 million + £5.14 million due to the back and forth negotiations. While they might have pushed for a higher price if Arsenal were still in the running, Fofana will now begin his Premier League journey with Sunderland.