Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 16 - First Leg - FCSB v Olympique Lyonnais - Arena Nationala, Bucharest, Romania - March 6, 2025 Olympique Lyonnais' Malick Fofana celebrates scoring their third goal Inquam Photos via REUTERS/Octav Ganea ROMANIA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN ROMANIA. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
Arsenal are considering a swoop for Lyon star winger Malick Fofana. Fresh off of pipping their fierce North London rivals Tottenham to the signing of Eberechi Eze, Arsenal are keen to add even more attacking firepower and have added Fofana to their shortlist of additional signings.
French publication L’Equipe has reported that Arsenal, alongside Bayern Munich, are exploring a possible deal for Fofana amid Lyon’s financial woes. The French club needs to sell an additional €40m in assets before the transfer window ends to comply with the DNCG’s orders – (Direction Nationale du Controle de Gestion) French football’s financial regulatory body.
This is the exact evaluation of their key man and Lyon could be forced to do business if the right offer arrives. Lyon were handed a strict punishment by DNCG earlier this summer, a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 and a transfer ban following substantial debt and financial breaches tied to investments in their new stadium and facilities.
The relegation was eventually overturned and Lyon were allowed to stay in Ligue 1, but have had to sell most of their key players. Rayan Cherki joined Manchester City, whilst Alexandre Lacazette, Lucas Perri, Jordan Veretout, and most recently Nemanja Matic have also departed.
Manager Paulo Fonseca is keen to keep hold Fofana as a result, but the club’s financial situation means he has very little say.
Fofana on the radar of many clubs
Fofana joined Lyon in a £14.7million plus add-ons deal from Gent in January 2024. He scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 41 appearances last campaign.
The 20-year-old is off the mark this season as well, as he set up Georges Mikautadze’s winner as Lyon beat Lens 1-0 in their League 1 opener last Saturday. He has admirers from across Europe and in the Premier League, with Everton submitting an offer for his services earlier this summer.
The player himself rejected the move to Everton, and could have his sights set on larger destinations. Liverpool and Chelsea have also shown interest in the player previously.
Arsenal have already spent close to £190m on transfers this summer and are set to spend a further £60m for Eze. A deal for Fofana would see their spending swell to around £290m, as the pressure for Arteta to bring major titles to Arsenal increases.
Any deal for Fofana would likely only progress later in the window for Arsenal. Outgoings will likely be the focus at the Emirates first with Reiss Nelson, Fabio Vieira, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Albert Sambi Lokanga, and Jakub Kiwior all linked with moves away from the club.
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