Lyon’s Malick Fofana has suffered a serious injury during the French team’s Ligue 1 fixture against Strasbourg. The player has been known to be on the radar of Premier League heavyweights, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Malick Fofana will now need to undergo surgery for his right ankle sprain and will spend a prolonged spell on the sidelines, much to the displeasure of Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca. Lyon emerged victorious by 2-1 on the evening but will now miss the service of their vital player.
Fofana was on the receiving end of a rash and industrial challenge by Ismael Doukoure, who straight away got his marching orders from the match official. According to a statement made by the club, Fofana was rushed to the hospital, where tests were carried out to identify the specifics.
What’s the update on Fofana?
Lyon have confirmed the injury sustained by Fofana. Initial scans pointed towards a sprain in his right ankle and also hinted at additional ligament damage, which would require surgery. An official statement made by the club confirmed –
“Tests carried out overnight at the hospital, then confirmed today, revealed a serious sprain of the right ankle, accompanied by injuries which will most likely require surgery, which should keep him off the pitch for several months. Olympique Lyonnais will put in place all necessary measures to ensure Malick Fofana receives the best possible medical care and supports his rehabilitation, in order to plan for his return to the squad as quickly as possible.”
The timing of the injury will surely dent Lyon’s hopes of finishing in the Top 4 in the French league. Lyon endured a difficult summer period that witnessed the departures of several key attackers like Rayan Cherki and Georges Mikautadze. Lyon gaffer Paulo Fonseca had been reliant on the pace and agility of Fofana, who has emerged as one of the finest prospects in European football at the moment.
Interest from Chelsea and Liverpool
According to a report published by Goal, Chelsea and Liverpool are keen on securing the services of the winger for their teams, as Fofana fits the long-term recruitment strategies for both English clubs. However, the situation could be headed for a different direction given the fresh injury sustained by the attacker. The player’s current contract runs until 2028, but it is understood from media coverage that Fofana’s entourage had been exploring other options at the end of the 2024/25 season. Last month the player was also asked about his summer side quests with Chelsea and Liverpool and responded by saying –
“There was interest from those two clubs [Liverpool and Chelsea], but ultimately nothing concrete. I’ve considered a transfer, but now I think it’s more important that I play a lot, and that has to happen at Lyon. Because I still have some progress to make.”