Arsenal have pulled out of the race to sign Malick Fofana from Lyon on transfer deadline day.
The Belgium international emerged as a target for the Gunners on Monday with Mikel Arteta still keen to strengthen his forward line following a number of high-profile snubs.
Morgan Rogers, Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez have all been coveted by the Premier League champions at various stages of the summer window but Christos Tzolis remains the only attacking player signed by Arteta.
Following the decisions to sanction the departures of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, as well as Ethan Nwaneri’s loan move to Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal have belatedly made an effort to compensate for those losses.
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Arteta is understood to have held a conversation with Fofana, but Arsenal have been unable to strike a deal with Lyon.
The Ligue 1 side need to sell one of their prize assets following their failure to qualify for the Champions League after last week’s defeat to Fenerbahce and had been holding out for a fee of €40million.
Arsenal are, however, according to Fabrizio Romano, unwilling to meet that asking price which has allowed Sunderland an opportunity to pounce.
The 21-year-old is reported to have accepted an offer for the Black Cats and is now due to arrive on Wearside this afternoon ahead of a medical.
More to follow…
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Arsenal make final decision on Malick Fofana with Lyon star set for medical | Football
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