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Credit: Imago

Chris Smith

Thu 21 August 2025 16:16, UK

Everton are facing a major headache in the race to sign Lyon’s Malick Fofana, with Arsenal now shortlisting the winger.

The Toffees have already been busy in the summer transfer window, bringing in the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Thierno Barry and Jack Grealish.

But even with the capture of the latter, Everton are still painfully short of depth on the flanks, with Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil the only other senior options available to David Moyes.

Everton’s lack of attacking bite was made painfully obvious in their 1-0 defeat to Leeds United to open the new season on Monday — managing just one shot on target and 14 touches in the opposition box throughout the 90 minutes (FotMob).

Malick Fofana’s 2024/25 stats.

(Credit: Imago)

Fofana has been a major target for Everton this summer, but the Toffees — who scored the fourth-fewest Premier League goals last season — have so far been unsuccessful in their pursuit.

It’s understood the Belgium international — still only 20 years old — has his ‘heart set’ on a move to a Champions League club, placing the Merseysiders at a huge disadvantage.

That is especially apparent when faced with competition from a title-chasing Arsenal side who, despite being on the verge of landing Eberechi Eze, are still seeking further additions in the final third.

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According to L’Equipe (via Get Football News France), Arsenal have now shortlisted Fofana — who is valued at £40million (£34.6million) by Lyon following an 11-goal, five-assist return last season — after the forward already rejected an advance from Everton, while Bundesliga titans Bayern Munich are also interested.

While Fofana would face a much tougher battle for minutes at the Emirates, Arsenal could offer him the Champions League football he craves, while the player will back himself to break into Mikel Arteta’s line-up soon enough, given the talent he’s already shown in France.

David Moyes still desperately needs another forward (Credit: Imago)

Football Insider verdict

Losing out on a prime target line Fofana would be a real blow to Moyes’ summer plans, but also a much-needed reality check regarding where the club is in the food chain.

Despite a stunning new stadium on the banks of the River Mersey, Everton cannot compete with the likes of Arsenal in the transfer market right now, and must be more creative in identifying their targets.

That said, they don’t appear to be short of alternatives, with the likes of Tyler Dibling and Takefusa Kubo still seemingly on the table.

One way or another, though, Everton do need to sign a winger.

They’re already short of numbers in that position, and if someone like Grealish or Ndiaye were to go down injured, it would be catastrophic — not to mention the attacking and creative burdens McNeil has carried over the last couple of years.

Everton’s next move in the market might well prove the difference between them enjoying a competitive season further up the table, or enduring another demoralising relegation battle.

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