Sunderland 'agree' £30m deal for Malick Fofana after Arsenal talks | OneFootball

Sunderland have moved to hijack Arsenal’s chase for Malick Fofana, with an agreement reached with Lyon on a £30m deadline day transfer, according to The Athletic.

The Sun reports Sunderland will pay an initial £26m plus £4m in add-ons, and Fofana has permission to travel to the North East for a medical before Tuesday night’s cut-off.

The 21-year-old is set to sign a five-year deal to 2031, with an option for a further 12 months.

Arsenal had explored a late move, with the Belgium international holding direct talks with Mikel Arteta about a role in north London. The Premier League champions hesitated over Lyon’s valuation and Arteta ultimately opted against sanctioning the deal.

Regis Le Bris’ side view the capture as a statement before Europa League involvement. Fofana, a former Gent academy prospect who joined Lyon for €17m in January 2024, has 19 goals in 83 appearances, including two in six this season.

With agreement and personal terms in place, Sunderland must complete medicals and paperwork before the 11pm deadline. If registered in time, the five-cap Belgium international will step straight into Le Bris’ first team, while Arsenal weigh up alternative options in the final hours.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”