Arsenal Miss Out on Malick Fofana as Sunderland Seals Deadline Day Deal

Arsenal’s late push for attacking reinforcements has taken a hit, with Malick Fofana slipping from their grasp on Deadline Day and heading for a shock move to Sunderland instead.

Mikel Arteta’s side had turned to the Lyon winger as they searched for depth on the flanks, opening talks with the Ligue 1 club on Monday. The plan was clear: add pace and direct running out wide before the window shut.

The numbers got in the way.

Lyon set an asking price of around €40million. According to reports from Santi Aouna and David Ornstein, Arsenal refused to go that high. While negotiations stalled, a Premier League rival stepped in and moved decisively.

Sunderland agreed a deal worth €30million plus add-ons, a package that edges closer to Lyon’s demands and was enough to win the race. Just as Arsenal hesitated, Sunderland accelerated.

It will sting at the Emirates.

Fofana was understood to be keen on a switch to north London, and Fabrizio Romano reported that the 21-year-old had even held talks with Arteta. Arsenal had their target, had their conversations, had their opening. They just didn’t close.

Crystal Palace know that feeling. Earlier in the summer, the Eagles were close to an agreement with Lyon for Fofana, only for the player to reject a move to Selhurst Park. Now, instead of London, his next stop is the north east.

The winger is set to fly in for a medical ahead of completing the move, a late twist that leaves Arsenal short in an area they had clearly earmarked for reinforcement.

Squad Impact

Arteta’s squad on the left flank already looks thin. Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have both been allowed to leave this summer, stripping away proven options in wide areas. Ethan Nwaneri is also due to undergo a medical at Borussia Dortmund ahead of a loan, another attacking talent heading out the door.

Christos Tzolis has arrived from Club Brugge earlier in the window, but the plan was to add more competition and variety, not to stop there. Fofana was supposed to be part of that answer.

Instead, Arsenal are left watching a player they courted board a plane to Sunderland, while the clock runs down and the margins at the top of the Premier League grow ever tighter.