The 2026 summer transfer window closed on September 1 without Arthur Avom leaving FC Lorient. The 21-year-old Cameroonian defensive midfielder, tipped for a departure for much of the summer, stayed loyal to the Brittany club, where he remains under contract until June 2027.
His profile had nonetheless attracted plenty of attention. Sunderland had put forward a four-year contract offer, Bournemouth was seen as the favourite because of shared ownership ties with the Wearside club, while Leeds, Everton and Crystal Palace were also following the situation. In Belgium, Club Bruges, and in Turkey, Fenerbahçe, had shown interest as well.
Valued at 20 million euros by Transfermarkt according to several specialist outlets, Avom ultimately did not receive any offer Lorient deemed sufficient to let go of a player still under contract. No transfer was therefore finalised before the market closed.
On the pitch, the player remained a regular starter in Lorient's midfield. He played in the Ligue 1 matches against Troyes and Nice in August, confirming his place in the squad even as his future was the subject of constant speculation.
This stability comes at a pivotal moment for the Indomitable Lions' midfield. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa's international retirement, announced earlier in the week, opens up space in the national team's midfield, where several young talents, Avom included, are now being mentioned for future call-ups.
The next transfer window will not open until January 2027. Until then, Arthur Avom remains committed to Lorient, which is starting its Ligue 1 season without having had to replace its defensive midfielder.
