Liverpool and Chelsea have both been linked with a move for Lyon talent Malick Fofana this summer. And with the French side having been relegated amid its financial troubles, the chance for someone to seal a transfer is likely to arise.
Fofana, 19, is a talented attacker who has been put forward as an option for several sides in the Premier League. He scored 11 times in all competitions last season, with six of those coming in 10 appearances in the Europa League.
However, Fofana has now been spotted doing some individual pre-season training while sporting a Manchester United jersey with Marcus Rashford's name on the back, sparking rumors that he might be heading to Old Trafford.
Manchester United, of course, knocked Lyon out of the second-tier UEFA competition last season, en route to losing 1-0 to Spurs in the Europa League final. And Fofana has become the latest player to be pictured wearing another team's colors.
Alejandro Garnacho drew criticism this week when he was photographed on holiday in an Aston Villa shirt, also with Rashford's name on the back. Garnacho and Rashford are likely to leave Manchester United this summer and that gesture didn't go down well.
Fofana, who has come through the age groups with the Belgian national team, mainly plays from the left-hand side. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool needs anyone on that flank.
Malick Fofana
Malick Fofana enjoyed his first full season at Lyon (Image: OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Images)
With Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo on the club's books, that would appear unlikely. Both, though, have been linked with moves elsewhere this summer with speculation involving Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
"Fofana is a player who is at the very highest level in his mentality," ex-Lyon manager Pierre Sage said last year. "But he will have to string together these sorts of matches, then he will have a very, very good future.
"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."
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Rayan Cherki, who left Lyon to sign for Manchester City this summer, is also a big fan of Fofana. He praised his former teammate, with the pair both big talents who have plenty of quality attributes.
"I like everything about him, he's good, kind, not very handsome (laughs) but who cares!" Cherki joked during their time together in France. "He brings us his explosiveness. We tell him to go into spaces, because we can give him the ball and he can hurt."
Fofana has played for Belgium at senior level, making his debut off the bench in the Nations League in 2024. He is said to be valued at around $41 million (£30 million).
Liverpool.com says: Fofana is clearly talented but the Reds are not in need of someone of that profile. The fact that he is wearing a Manchester United jersey probably confirms that the interest from Liverpool, if there is any, is not very strong.