Arsenal explore move for winger Fofana - Tuesday gossip
August 31, 2026 20:10
Arsenal have been linked with Lyon winger Malick Fofana as they look to add wide options before the transfer window shuts on Tuesday. The club is also reported to remain interested in Atletico Madrid forward Julián Álvarez and is said to be working on ways to facilitate a move for the Argentina international and his entourage.
Elsewhere in the market, Liverpool turned down a reported £30m offer from Nottingham Forest for England Under-20 midfielder Trey Nyoni, while Borussia Dortmund are weighing up an offer for free agent Jadon Sancho that would be heavily performance-linked and exclude a signing bonus. Newcastle have reached an agreement with Lille over a fee to sign Matias Fernández-Pardo on a five-year deal, and several other clubs have made enquiries or opened talks on a range of players.
KEY CONTEXT
- The items are a mix of reported interest, enquiries and some confirmed steps, all emerging in the final stages of the transfer window.
- Sources cited for the various reports include RMC Sport, Teamtalk, The Athletic, Bild, Telegraph, Fabrizio Romano, Florian Plettenberg and Sky Germany.
- Confirmed and more advanced items in the reporting include Liverpool rejecting Nottingham Forest’s bid for Trey Nyoni and Newcastle agreeing terms with Lille for Matias Fernández-Pardo; other links are presented as exploration, enquiries or interest rather than completed deals.
WHY IT MATTERS
- Arsenal pursuing wide and forward options — two names reported in their sights — signals a push to bolster attacking depth before the deadline.
- Liverpool’s decision to reject a sizeable offer for a young midfielder suggests they value Nyoni or prefer to retain him rather than sell at the level offered.
- Dortmund’s proposed structure for a deal with Jadon Sancho highlights how clubs are using performance-based contracts and limited up-front payments when dealing with free agents.
- Newcastle’s agreement with Lille, if completed formally, reflects ongoing squad-building with a multi-year commitment to a young midfielder.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Arsenal finalise any deal for Malick Fofana or make a move for Julián Álvarez before the window closes on Tuesday.
- If Nottingham Forest return with an improved offer for Trey Nyoni or if Liverpool stand firm on keeping the player.
- Whether Jadon Sancho accepts a performance-based contract that omits a signing bonus from Borussia Dortmund.
- Completion of Newcastle’s planned signing of Matias Fernández-Pardo and the outcomes of enquiries/talks involving Simon Adingra, Hugo Larsson, Nick Woltemade (loan) and Ethan Nwaneri.
KEY FACTS
- Arsenal linked with Malick Fofana (21), Lyon winger and Belgium international, ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
- Arsenal reported to remain interested in Julián Álvarez (26), Atletico Madrid forward.
- Liverpool rejected a reported £30m bid from Nottingham Forest for Trey Nyoni (19), England Under-20 midfielder.
- Newcastle have agreed a fee with Lille for Matias Fernández-Pardo (21) on a five-year deal, per reports.
- Borussia Dortmund are reportedly considering a performance-based contract for free agent Jadon Sancho (26) with no signing bonus.