Arsenal have reportedly joined Everton in the race for Malick Fofana, with Lyon desperate to make a big sale to balance their finances.

According to L’Equipe, Arsenal have reportedly joined the race for Malick Fofana, with Everton also part of the run. The 20-year-old Belgian prodigy is considered one of the brightest young attackers on the continent, with Lyon desperate to make a big sale to balance their finances.

Lyon are not in the best of places when it comes to scrutiny over their finances. Having been handed a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 last January, the demotion was later confirmed in the summer, only for it to be overturned upon appeal.

They might be in the top flight at the moment, but the club reportedly needs to raise around €40 million before June 2026. Hence, they are targeting a big sale this summer rather than risk anything in the January window or after the season ends.

Malick Fofana is the obvious name at the moment, and Lyon are ready to entertain offers despite the player not being in a rush to leave. There might be a case that the French side forces a sale, although the 20-year-old Belgian prodigy does not want to leave for any club that does not fit his stature.

Everton were in the mix, and saw a bid rejected earlier by Lyon, as the Ligue 1 side wanted €40 million plus add-ons, but the Toffees only offered around €36 million. Fofana seems uninterested in joining Everton, and that is why the pursuit has gone cold over the last many days.

Arsenal are the latest to enter the race, and that might be a team that Fofana might show some interest in joining. The 20-year-old Belgian prodigy wants to play for a Champions League side, as the Gunners, alongside Bayern Munich, were mentioned as the latest interested parties.

Are Arsenal interested in Malick Fofana?

The €40 million asking price might not be seen as an issue by those in charge of Arsenal, but the problems lie with their squad depth. The Gunners have sufficient players in their squad at the moment, and while they were keen to bring in a new left winger, the upcoming arrival of Eberechi Eze potentially ends their incoming business unless there’s a late sale of either Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli.

For now, Arsenal’s name is probably being used by Lyon as a marker to increase interest in the market. Liverpool were keen at some stage, and could soon pivot towards Fofana if they cannot sign their priority targets. For now, neither the Merseysiders nor the Gunners might make a move in the latter stages of the window.