Arsenal are in the market for a new central midfielder, and they have been linked with several options.
Amadou Onana and Bruno Guimaraes are among those linked, and both would cost a substantial figure, with some doubts over whether either are the right fit for what Mikel Arteta wants in his midfield.
Arsenal want a midfielder who could replace Thomas Partey at the base of midfield and allow Declan Rice to push further forward. Martin Zubimendi has been linked, but he may not want to leave Spain.
A bargain option may have now presented himself to Arteta, as Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana will definitely leave his club this summer.
Arsenal target Youssouf Fofana could leave Monaco for bargain fee
It was recently reported that as a result of his contract situation, Monaco midfielder Fofana, who is of interest to Arsenal, could leave his club for £30m this summer.
However, Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla has now claimed that with Juventus also keen on the 25-year-old, that the France midfielder will be available for around £13m.
This would represent a bargain fee for a player who could slot straight into Arsenal’s midfield, and would be much less of a gamble than some of the more expensive options linked in recent months.
Youssouf Fofana could be risk-free signing for Arsenal
If this reported price tag is true, then Arteta should seriously consider a move for Fofana. The Frenchman is a capable replacement for Partey, who could move to Saudi Arabia.
Fofana is strong on the ball, both in terms of dribbling and passing, and he drew praise from former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, who played with him at Monaco.
“[He is] a very dynamic strong player. Good on the ball. A modern type of player. Aggressive and he can jump. He’s a box-to-box. I really like Fofana and I think he fits very well in the Premier League,” Fabregas recently stated.
Even if Fofana does not settle well, £13m would hardly break the bank for a player of the perfect age and positional profile that Arteta wants in midfield. If Arsenal cannot land a top target in Zubimendi now, but fancy their chances in a year, this is not a signing that would prevent a future move for him.
Arsenal could therefore land themselves a bargain at a low cost and low risk if they move for Fofana this summer, but it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will focus on other targets or try to secure him soon.