Arsenal have joined the race to sign Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana amid links with Liverpool and West Ham United.
Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana is the latest midfielder to pop onto Arsenal’s radar this summer.
That is according to a report from French newspaper L’Equipe, as relayed by Get French Football News.
The report adds that Newcastle United are also keen on Fofana despite their imminent move for Sandro Tonali.
It’s stated that West Ham were viewing Fofana as a potential replacement for Declan Rice.
Rice looks likely to leave West Ham this summer with Arsenal ahead of Manchester City in that race.
West Ham need a replacement but now face a nightmare situation whereby Arsenal target Fofana as well as Rice.
Monaco are understood to want around €35million (£30million) for Fofana, who is now wanted by a host of Premier League clubs.
Arsenal target Youssouf Fofana is a man in demand
Arsenal’s interest in Fofana is surely tied to the future of Thomas Partey.
The Ghanaian is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia and around Europe as he potentially moves on this summer.
If Partey does leave, then Arsenal will be looking for another holding midfielder with Rice potentially viewed as being able to play as an anchorman and as a box-to-box player.
Fofana would certainly fit the mould of a holding midfielder having played there on a regular basis for Monaco.
Other players like Romeo Lavia have been linked with that role, but Fofana would seemingly be a slightly cheaper and more experienced option.
The 24-year-old has almost 150 Ligue 1 appearances to his name and has now picked up 10 caps for France.
The problem for Arsenal is that so many other clubs want Fofana too even aside from the aforementioned West Ham and Newcastle.
The Daily Mail reported in May that Chelsea and Liverpool both fancy signing Fofana this summer – and both teams are still in the market for midfielders.
Fofana finds himself in demand this summer and he may be seen as an alternative to Lavia for many of the teams in the race for the Southampton star.
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