Liverpool has reportedly entered the race to sign Malick Fofana from Lyon, as the French club considers selling the exciting youngster in a bid to ease its financial difficulties.
Lyon has already sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City, and the $58 million-rated Fofana could also be shown the door this summer.
Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest are all said to be interested in Fofana to some extent, although it is claimed by L'Equipe that a move to Forest doesn't appeal to the player, considering the caliber of the other clubs that are keen on him.
Fofana made 41 appearances in all competitions for Lyon this season, with 23 of them coming as starts, scoring 11 goals and registering six assists.
Most of Fofana's outings came as a left winger, and it remains to be seen whether Liverpool plans to recruit in that area of the field this summer — that will surely depend on the future of Luis Diaz, who has been linked with a move away from the Anfield club.
More about Fofana
Fofana was born in the Belgian city of Aalst, and has represented his country at Under-15, Under-17, United-18, Under-20 and Under-21 levels.
He was handed his first and only senior cap last October as he emerged as a late substitute in a Nations League game between Belgium and Italy.
Fofana was picked up by Belgian team Eendracht Aalst as a child before making the move to Gent's academy in 2014; Fofana stayed with Gent for 10 years, leaving last summer to join Lyon.
Fofana in action for Lyon
Fofana in action for Lyon (Image: 2025 Icon Sport)
Fofana has received high praise for his quality since moving to Lyon, with ex-Lyon manager Pierre Sage, who was replaced midway through this season, saying: "He's a player who's at the very high level in his mentality, but he will have to string together these sorts of matches, then he will have a very, very good future."
Sage also said of Fofana: "He's quick, he's skilful, and he's not afraid to take risks. He's already made a big impression on the team, and I'm sure he'll continue to improve and develop in the years to come."
Former teammate Cherki, meanwhile, said of Fofana: "I like everything about him, he's good, kind, not very handsome (laughs) but who cares.
"He brings us his explosiveness. We tell him to go into spaces, because we can give him the ball and he can hurt."
Gent's Under-21 coach, Emilio Ferrera, meanwhile, waxed lyrical about the 20-year-old.
He said: "When I started as a coach of the youth team at Gent, I quickly knew that Malick was the greatest talent I ever trained," Ferrera said. "He can explode a match on his own."