Andrea Berta’s next smart play should see Arsenal hijack Chelsea and Liverpool move for cut-price ‘wonderkid’ from Lyon

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Arsenal are taking their time and making sure every move is the right one during this transfer window.

Andrea Berta is yet to make an official move for either Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres as the club’s search for a striker continues.

Arsenal cannot repeat their Raheem Sterling mistake from last season as they ran out of options and panicked over a move for the Chelsea winger on deadline day.

However, sometimes football throws up surprise opportunities that have to be pounced upon without the planning and thinking. Arsenal have such opportunity to trump Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool to a future star.

READ MORE: Forget Rodrygo, Mikel Arteta could sign the perfect Emile Smith Rowe upgrade at Arsenal for £100m

Arsenal should sign Malick Fofana amid Lyon’s financial struggles

French side Olympique Lyonnais have been rocked by the news that they have been relegated to Ligue 2 next season after failing to improve their financial situation.

The club sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City but this was not enough to prevent the sanction, although Lyon do plan to appeal the decision.

Malick Fofana has enjoyed an excellent season for the troubled French side and been dubbed the next Belgian ‘wonderkid’ as per Breaking the lines.

Chelsea and Liverpool are pushing hard for the player however, with the Gunners pushing hard for a left winger, Fofana could represent excellent value in a cut-price deal.

Malick Fofana’s stats last season

Rodrygo’s wage demands could scupper any deal for the Real Madrid winger and Mikel Arteta is desperate to sign some competition for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Fofana suits the age profile of Arsenal’s targets being just 20 years of age and possesses bags of pace and trickery.

Arne Slot wants to use Fofana as back-up to Luis Diaz on the left flank at Anfield but if Arteta can show Fofana a pathway to the Gunners first-team, it may give them the edge.

What is clear, Arsenal need some pace and creativity added to their attack and Fofana would represent an intriguing option should he be persuaded to move to the Emirates Stadium.