Why Arsenal decided against signing Malick Fofana and what it means | OneFootball

Gunners remain active in the market despite passing on the Lyon winger following talks

Arsenal have opted against pursuing a move for Malick Fofana, with the Lyon winger instead set to sign for Sunderland on Deadline Day.

Fofana had emerged as a player of interest for Arsenal, who are still open to strengthening in that area of the pitch before the window shuts on Tuesday night.

The 21-year-old was offered to the Gunners and the club explored the conditions of a deal without ever being fully committed to seriously pushing for Fofana.

Mikel Arteta is said to have spoken to the Belgian as part of that process but Arsenal decided to not move ahead with the deal.

While Fofana was understood to be keen on making the move, Lyon's asking price of around £30-35million was not one Arsenal wanted to meet.

With the Gunners unwilling to match that valuation, Sunderland moved in and Fofana is now set to undergo a medical and complete that move.

Arsenal have held firm on their valuations of players this summer, even if it has meant missing out on key targets.

Malick Fofana

AFP/Getty

Significant work was done to try and bring Morgan Rogers to the club but negotiations were slow and Chelsea swooped in to sign him for £117m, a fee Arsenal did not want to match.

It was also an extended process to bring in Bruno Guimaraes before a £75m deal was eventually agreed with Newcastle.

With Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira all set to be sold and Ethan Nwaneri expected to join Borussia Dortmund on loan, Arsenal are assessing options for another signing in attack late in the window.

However, the club are also happy with the squad currently available to Arteta.

Arsenal will not move for a player unless they are convinced he is right financially and in terms of significantly raising the level of the team.

Julian Alvarez has been the club's top target but there has been no indication from the player that he wants to join Arsenal this summer.

The striker trained with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday morning and the prospects of that situation changing in the final hours of the window appear very slim.