Arsenal join Liverpool in 3-horse race to sign €35m-rated Ligue 1 starlet: Reports

Arsenal are locked in a battle with Liverpool and Aston Villa for the services of Malick Fofana, according to Caught Offside. The Belgian starlet has been in fine form for Lyon this season, registering five goals and two assists from 16 games across competitions.

Fofana's contract runs until 2028, but he is expected to be sold next year. The French club are facing relegation to Ligue 2 unless they address their poor finances and are likely to listen to offers for every player in their squad.

Lyon are reportedly hoping to raise €30-35m for Fofana, although they may be open to a cut-prised deal as well. The Premier League trio are already plotting to win the race for his signature.

Arsenal are looking to add more bite to their attack amid the mixed form of Gabriel Matinelli and Leandro Trossard. The latter, meanwhile, has also been linked with an exit from the Emirates of late.

The Gunners are on the rise under Mikel Arteta and could be an enticing option for Fofana. Mikel Arteta has regularly invested in talented young footballers and the 19-year-old fits the bill.

However, Liverpool are also eyeing the Belgian with interest. The Merseyside club are sweating on the future of Mohamed Salah, whose contract expires at the end of this season.

The Reds are already scouting the market for replacements and have Fofana on their agenda. However, Arsenal and Liverpool will face competitions from Aston Villa, as well as Bayern Munich, Juventus and AC Milan for the Belgian.

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Could Liverpool and Arsenal battle for a midfielder in 2025?

Malick Fofana

Liverpool and Arsenal could also go into battle for the services of Martin Zubimendi in 2025, according to reports. The Spanish midfielder was wanted at Anfield this summer, but the Reds failed to convince him to leave.

Meanwhile, the Gunners are long-term admirers of the 25-year-old and have been linked with the player on previous occasions. The north London side opted to sign Zubimendi's Real Sociedad teammate Mikel Merino this summer.

However, it now appears that Arsenal could return to the Reale Arena once again in 2025. Meanwhile, Liverpool were willing to trigger Zubimendi's €50m release clause this summer, and are likely to be in the mix for his services next year.

Prising him away from Sociedad in January may not be a walk in the park, but a move in the summer could materialize. The report adds that Manchester City also have their sights on Zubimendi.