This summer, Arsenal is frantically trying to sign Declan Rice. However, there are backup plans in place, and Youssouf Fofana of Monaco may be the best option.
What has changed regarding Youssouf Fofana joining Arsenal?
According to The Daily Mail, if they are unable to sign the England international this summer, they may turn to Fofana.
L’Equipe further asserts that West Ham United and Newcastle United have joined Arsenal in the competition for the France international, as translated by Get Football News France.
Fofana, who Monaco estimates to be worth around €35 million (£30 million), is admired, but as of yet, no serious approaches have been made. This is probably because the Rice scandal is still very much in the spotlight, and Manchester City is now competing with Mikel Arteta’s team for the pivotal midfielder.
After finishing second this season, Arsenal qualified for the Champions League and will now be looking to overtake Manchester City and strengthen their squads in preparation for the upcoming season.
Youssouf Fofana, who is he?
It is obvious that the addition of Rice will raise the bar for everyone associated with the Gunners; Rice is indeed expected to leave the London Stadium this summer after leading the Hammers to victory in the Europa Conference League.
But given that Manchester City is actually interested in hiring the 24-year-old, Fofana might be a wise choice to guarantee that the midfield’s durability nonetheless increases.
The 24-year-old played 36 games in Ligue 1 last season, completed 82% of his passes, averaged 2.3 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game, and received an overall rating of 6.85, according to Sofascore.
To put those figures into perspective, no Arsenal player completed more defensive actions than Thomas Partey, who led the team with 2.1 tackles per game at the Emirates Stadium.
Jacek Kulig, a talent scout, praised Fofana as “magnificent” for his accomplishments. Fofana’s stability and composure in the middle of the pitch would enable Arsenal’s dynamic attack to flourish, and the star is also capable of significantly aiding the team’s offensive development.
Fofana actually ranks in the top 14% of midfielders in the top five leagues in Europe for progressive passes and progressive carries, as well as the top 16% for successful take-ons per 90, demonstrating a driving aspect to his game that could complement Arteta’s midfield’s dynamism.
Youssouf Fofana of S Monaco and Maxence Caqueret of Olympique Lyonnais in action.
Given that he also ranks in the top 15% for interceptions made per 90, there is a steely tenacity to his defensive workload that may allow players like Martin Odegaard to benefit from his skill as a midfield tool while also feeling inspired by his work in thwarting danger.
Arsenal’s captain, hailed as the team’s “conductor” by club legend Robert Pires, has played a crucial role in the comeback since signing for £30 million from Real Madrid in August 2021 following a successful loan spell.
With 15 goals and eight assists from 37 Premier League games this season, Odegaard has been one of the most productive midfielders in Europe, earning an average Sofascore rating of 7.35.
The Norwegian midfielder who makes £115k per week and has been dubbed a “wizard” by Babayele Sodade is among the top 1% of all midfielders in terms of goals and shot-creating actions, the top 2% for touches in the attacking box, the top 10% for progressive passes, and the top 14% for progressive carries per 90.
Effectively, the significance of the various metrics stems from the fact that Odegaard thrives when he pushes through the thirds and causes chaos with his lightning-quick goalscoring ability and creativity. As a result, he necessitates a midfielder with immense physicality and tenacity to keep the midfield’s fabric together.
Fofana can execute this skillfully, as shown by his high tackle and interception rate, while also moving forward and supporting Odegaard’s frontal efforts.
There’s no telling how formidable Arteta’s Arsenal might become if the two can forge a solid and lasting bond on the pitch, but timing will be crucial.
Rice is the sought-after gem and the final piece needed to enchant the Emirates faithful, but Fofana might just be able to match the Irons general and be the ideal replacement.
