‘Agreement Reached’ – Sunderland To Beat Arsenal To Winger | OneFootball

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Sunderland have agreed a fee with Lyon for Arsenal target Malick Fofana, with terms also in place with the winger.

Regis Le Bris has been forced to play the waiting game for much of the summer, but Sunderland’s business has been picking up pace.

Adding another wide attacker has been high on the French boss’ list, with several options explored, including Marseille’s Igor Paixao.

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It emerged on Monday that Sunderland were unlikely to progress a move for Paixao and now the reason has become clear, with full focus on Fofana.

Arsenal have been showing interest in landing the Lyon winger, however it is Sunderland who look set to get him.

According to French journalist Santi Aouna, ‘agreement reached’ is the call, with Sunderland having a five-year deal agreed with Fofana.

The Black Cats also have an agreement on a transfer fee in place with Lyon – with up to £30m now widely quoted – meaning the path to completing the deal looks smooth.

Sunderland still have work to do on the swoop though, with deadline day meaning time is short to get Fofana through a medical and then sort out the paperwork with the player and with Lyon.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances though, Sunderland are set to have a new, exciting winger in the shape of Fofana.

Fofana has been heavily looked at and chased by Premier League sides in the past.

Liverpool were ready to sign him last summer if Federico Chiesa had left, but the Italian stayed put and the Reds did not push a move for Fofana through.

The Reds’ Merseyside rivals Everton then tried to sign Fofana, however the winger considered his options and decided to stay put at Lyon for another year.

Now the winger will get his Premier League move and in Le Bris, has a French manager to help him with the adaptation to English football.

For Arsenal, it remains to be seen if they will ultimately regret having missed out on landing Fofana this summer.