News broke per Fraudbrizo Romano yesterday evening that Nottingham Forest had reached an agreement with Olympique Lyonnais for the services of 20-year-old Belgian winger Malick Fofana, who has been previously linked with Liverpool FC and Chelsea last month.
EXCL: Nottingham Forest have agreed deal with Olympique Lyon for Malick Fofana… but no agreement yet on player side.
Fofana, waiting for Champions League clubs with Chelsea still keen on the player.
Understand Bayern and Napoli have also called to make initial approach. pic.twitter.com/dp8XtwDP9x
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 1, 2025
However, reports from other sources then emerged, stating that the player would not agree to a move to Forest, preferring to join a club that plays in the Champions League. His previously linked suitors, Liverpool and Chelsea, would certainly fit the bill. Other interested parties, Bayern Munich and Napoli, can also offer the top European competition, having also won their respective leagues last season.
With Bayern Munich and Al-Nassr’s reported interest in Luis Diaz, nabbing a player like Fofana from Lyon, who are in financial trouble and appealing relegation to Ligue 2, to get younger and cheaper at the left-wing position feels quite plausible, should the Colombian attacker choose to leave.