Manchester City's Rayan Cherki has high praise for Chelsea target and former Lyon team-mate Malick Fofana.
Enzo Maresca's side are on the lookout for a wide player this summer, following Jadon Sancho's return to Old Trafford after his loan spell ended without a permanent deal being agreed.
In January, there were whispers that Red Devils star Garnacho might be heading to west London. While his representatives were even spotted at Stamford Bridge amid alleged discussions, the 20-year-old remained in place and football.london later confirmed that the visit was not made upon an invite from the club.
With the transfer window now open again, hints have been dropped that Garnacho is looking for a new club, with his personal photographer even suggesting via social media that he has played for United for the 'last time.'
However, a move to Chelsea could depend on the Blues not chasing other targets, and Lyon's Fofana is firmly on the club's radar and has received a glowing endorsement from former team-mate and new City signing Cherki.
Fofana arrived in Ligue 1 from Gent last year. At just 20, he scored 11 goals and provided six assists this season, proving particularly effective in the Europa League, where he scored six times
The Belgian talent has caught the eye of not just the Blues, but Liverpool, United and Nottingham Forest, according to L'Equipe, though the City Ground is supposedly not his preferred destination. He is valued at £42.5million.
In 2024, as Fofana was gradually being brought into Lyon's lineup, his former team-mate Cherki, a £30m summer signing for Pep Guardiola's City, shared his impressions.
Malick Fofana pictured walking
Fofana is now a target for the Blues (Image: Photonews 2025)
"Malick Fofana? I like everything about him," Cherki confessed. "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 [opponents]. He has integrated well and is not afraid of much."
Fofana's performances have turned heads consistently. Emilio Ferrera, the coach during Fofana's spell at Gent in Belgium, hailed him as an extraordinary prospect, reports the Mirror.
"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 acknowledged. "He can explode a match on his own."
Chelsea have made initial contact with Lyon over signing Fofana, football.london understands, amid a search for fresh talent. Earlier this month, Chelsea's offer of £42m for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens fell short, with the Bundesliga outfit holding out for £50m.
Although no deal was finalised prior to Maresca's squad leaving for the Club World Cup, Chelsea are open to refining their bid and could return for the Englishman before the window shuts.