Arsenal: Romano drops Fofana update

Arsenal must pay a determine within the area of €40m (£35m) to be able to carry Seko Fofana to The Emirates within the January switch window.

What’s the discuss?

That’s in response to Fabrizio Romano, who revealed in a latest article for CaughtOffside that, after being closely linked with a transfer for the RC Lens central midfielder forward of the winter market, Mikel Arteta’s facet must fork out round £35m to be able to land the 27-year-old – who’s attracting the curiosity of numerous large golf equipment.

The switch insider went on to state that, with the Ivory Coast worldwide having just lately appointed new representatives, the playmaker’s company agency are presently engaged on numerous options forward of the opening of the January switch window.

In his article, Romano stated: “There’s been some hypothesis in latest days linking Seko Fofana as a goal for Arsenal. I don’t know but the place he’ll find yourself, however I may give my present understanding of his scenario.

“Seko Fofana has a brand new agent now and he’s clearly working to search out options for 2023. For the time being it’s nonetheless early, nothing superior; however he will be a chance not only for Premier League golf equipment, but in addition in different leagues. His price ticket may very well be round €40m.”

Yaya Toure 2.0

Contemplating simply how spectacular Fofana has been for Lens since his transfer to the membership again in the summertime of 2020, coupled with central midfield arguably being the world of Mikel Arteta’s squad that’s missing probably the most depth, it’s not tough to see why Arsenal can be serious about a deal to carry the 27-year-old to north London this winter.

Do you assume Fofana can be a very good signing for £35m?

Certainly, in response to FBref, the £26m-rated expertise ranks within the high 14% of midfielders in Europe’s large 5 leagues and European competitions for non-penalty objectives per 90, in addition to the highest 7% for non-penalty xG, the highest 2% for pictures, the highest 41% for assists and the highest 26% for shot-creating actions during the last 12 months – demonstrating his clear means within the closing third.

Moreover, FBref additionally rank the £26k-per-week playmaker within the high 11% of midfielders for passes accomplished per 90, along with the highest 7% for dribbles accomplished, the highest 6% for touches within the opposition penalty space and the highest 3% for progressive passes obtained during the last 12 months – highlighting his expertise in possession of the ball, in addition to his attacking inclination.

These metrics see the statistical database checklist the likes of Bernardo Silva and İlkay Gündoğan as Fofana’s most comparable gamers, nevertheless, it’s maybe one other of Manchester Metropolis’s former midfielders, Yaya Toure, who’s most just like the 27-year-old stylistically.

Certainly, not solely do each gamers hail from Ivory Coast and possess imposing physiques, however Toure’s trademark drive into the ultimate third earlier than both establishing a teammate or unleashing a shot himself can be one in all Fofana’s defining characteristics.

As such, ought to Arteta handle to get a deal over the road for the participant Zach Lowy labelled a “phenom” this winter, the Spaniard might effectively have landed his personal Yaya at The Emirates, with the “relentless” Fofana undoubtedly representing a improbable addition to the 40-year-old’s present choices in the midst of the park.