Liverpool are reportedly leading the race to sign Lyon star Malick Fofana. The winger has been heavily linked with a move away from the Ligue 1 side this summer, with a host of Premier League clubs monitoring his situation closely.
Arne Slot is in the heart of majorly shaking up his title-winning squad on Merseyside, with Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong both joining the club from Bayern Leverkusen as part of his overhaul. Further attacking reinforcements are being eyed too, with a new No. 9 now a priority at Anfield.
Liverpool also have a host of attackers who have been linked with exits over the coming weeks, and replacements are firmly in the pipeline. Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott all have suitors around Europe, whilst Diogo Jota has been linked with Saudi Pro League outfits previously as well.
As a result, several wingers are being assessed. According to Sky Sports, the Reds have a ‘concrete interest’ in signing Lyon’s Malick Fofana this summer, though he is viewed as a Federico Chiesa replacement. The winger has struggled since joining Liverpool just 12 months ago, and a return to Italy appears to beckon.
Although talks are not advanced, Liverpool are said to be leading the race to sign Fofana and feel that he is the ideal acquisition to be an option on the left – both in the short and long-term. However, the sale of Chiesa will need to go through first.
The Reds aren’t alone in considering tabling an offer for Fofana as Chelsea are firmly in the race to secure his signature. The Belgium international is being eyed at Stamford Bridge and the Blues have already made contact with Lyon to explore the conditions of a deal.
The French giants are demanding £42million to part ways with Fofana this summer, but their financial difficulties means that they are hoping a bidding war could break out which would see them bank a further £18m on top of that - although they may struggle to get as much as £60m.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool capitalise on their advantage in the race to sign Fofana by tabling an offer before Italian outfits come forward for Chiesa, or whether Chelsea look to pounce on the situation to attempt to hijack the deal and sign the 20-year-old.