Malick Fofana faces bizarre Deadline Day scenario as Premier League clubs battle for Arsenal target

Malick Fofana has been the story of transfer deadline day, as it appeared that the Belgian international would be making the move to Premier League champions Arsenal.

Yet, Sunderland would hijack the deal as the Black Cats agreed a fee, and it appeared he would be making the move to the Stadium of Light.

Drama would then ensue as Crystal Palace would match the offer made to Fofana, and they were attempting to hijack his deal with Sunderland.

The Eagles attempted to offer him better terms, and it looked like they may have convinced him to make the move to Selhurst Park, only for a frantic round of further discussions to see them reestablish a position where they believe a deal is still possible.

The 21-year-old was in a strange position where he is at an airport in Lyon with two private jets, one of which is ready to bring him to Sunderland and the other of which had been booked to fly to London.

Before Fofana can complete any move before the deadline, he will have to complete a medical, but as it edges closer to the transfer window closing, he will not have enough time to complete this in England.

This means he will do this in Lyon; however, this appears to be an unusual development in this department too, as if this story could not get any more dramatic.

It is being reported in France by journalist Romain Molina on X, formerly known at Twitter, that Fofana is doing his medical now in France but he has no idea for which club as he still waits to come to a decision on if he wants to join the Black Cats or the Eagles.

Fans of Sunderland and Crystal Palace will be waiting patiently to see which club Fofana opts to join in the Premier League.

Fofana made a fine start to his Ligue 1 campaign with Lyon as he netted a goal in his only appearance in the division, adding to his 10 goals across the past three seasons.

The Belgian international had been subject to interest from another Premier League club earlier in the window, as Hull City had their £35 million bid rejected, as the 21-year-old would like the chance to not only test himself in the English top flight but in Europe too.

This can explain why he has listened to offers from Arsenal, Sunderland and Crystal Palace as all three clubs have European football this campaign.