Lorient Target Yaya Sanogo to Replace Ayew During AFCON, but Arsenal Block Move
With Jordan Ayew set to join the Ghana national team for the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, Lorient have been actively seeking a short-term replacement. The club reportedly targeted Yaya Sanogo, the 21-year-old striker from Arsenal, as a potential solution.
However, Arsenal have refused to loan out Sanogo, despite earlier reports—including from the BBC—suggesting that the player was set to leave on loan to gain more first-team experience. Sanogo has featured only six times this season for the Gunners and faces intense competition following Olivier Giroud’s return from injury.
Although Sanogo has made appearances in both the Premier League and the Champions League, he has struggled to make a definitive impact. A loan was seen as a chance for him to reignite his development.
Meanwhile, Lorient aren’t short on alternatives. According to L’Équipe, the club has also been offered Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Eden Ben Basat as other attacking options during Ayew’s absence.
For now, Lorient may have to reconsider their plans unless Arsenal has a change of heart regarding Sanogo’s immediate future.
