Arsenal Withdraw from Malick Fofana Pursuit as Sunderland Move Nears
Malick Fofana is reportedly heading to Sunderland for a medical after a €30m deal was verbally agreed with Lyon, with Arsenal never having planned to meet the higher valuation for the player.
North Bank NewsMalick Fofana is on the verge of completing a move to Sunderland, with the forward reportedly en route to undergo a medical, according to Fabrizio Romano. A verbal agreement has been reached for a transfer fee of €30 million plus add-ons, accepted by Olympique Lyonnais.
Arsenal, who had been linked with the player, were ultimately not prepared to match the higher financial demands for Fofana. Romano confirms that the Gunners had no intention of entering into a deal that would cost in the region of €35-40 million, ruling out a potential transfer to North London for the talent.
This development suggests that while Arsenal may have been aware of Fofana's potential, their valuation differed significantly from what Lyon sought and what Sunderland has seemingly agreed to pay. The news was also followed up by respected journalists Santi J. FM and David Ornstein.