Malick Fofana is reportedly ‘a long way from the City Ground’ amid talk Nottingham Forest have stepped up their interest in the Lyon winger.
The Reds will look to strengthen out wide this summer and the 20-year-old emerged as a potential target last month. Several clubs were said to be keen on him at the time, with a price tag of at least €50 million (£42m) on his head.
On Tuesday, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claimed Forest had made progress in trying to snap up Fofana. He posted on X: “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 (Munich) and Napoli have also called to make initial approach.”
However, Romano’s update has since been deemed wide of the mark by reports elsewhere. It has been suggested the Reds could yet ‘overtake’ Premier League rivals Chelsea in the race for the Belgian, but a deal is said to be a long way from being done.
French publication FootMercato said: “Malick Fofana is still a long way from joining the City Ground, as, according to our information, there is no agreement between the two clubs. We can even add that the French and English (clubs) have never held discussions regarding a transfer for Fofana.”
Manchester United and Liverpool have previously been linked with Fofana. Last month, it was reported Chelsea were the first club to make a direct approach to Lyon’s hierarchy regarding the player.
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Lyon are looking to oversee player sales this summer in a bid to raise cash. They have provisionally been relegated to Ligue 2 amid financial difficulties, although that relegation is the subject of an appeal by the French outfit.
A right-footed left winger, Fofana joined Lyon from Gent in January 2024 for a reported €19.5m (£16.6m) and is under contract until 2028. He impressed in Ligue 1 last season, notching five goals and weighing in with four assists from 29 appearances.
Signing wingers was a priority for Forest 12 months ago and they brought in Ramon Sosa and Jota Silva. But the two newcomers struggled to establish themselves at the City Ground and both have been linked with moves elsewhere, with Sosa in line to join Palmeiras.
There is also a question mark over Anthony Elanga’s future with the Reds amid interest from Newcastle United. Forest are keen to retain one of their prized assets, however, as they prepare to compete in Europe next season.
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