Malick Fofana. (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Malick Fofana. (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Everton had an offer rejected to sign Malick Fofana from Lyon in the summer transfer window.
Malick Fofana has given an update on his future after being the subject of a transfer bid from Everton.
The Toffees are trying to strengthen their attacking options in the summer transfer window and have had Fofana on their radar. The 20-year-old recorded 11 goals and six assists in 41 appearances for Olympique Lyonnais last season.
However, with Lyon enduring financial difficulties, having initially been relegated to Ligue 2 by French football finance watchdog DNCG before winning their appeal to stay in the top flight, they have needed sales. Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid) and Lucas Perri (Leeds United) have all been sold this summer and Fofana is another prized asset that would raise funds.
Everton’s offer of £31.5 million was turned down by Lyon. And he showed why the Blues are keen on the opening day of the 2025-26 season as he assisted Georges Mikautadze’s goal in their 1-0 victory at Lens yesterday. After the triumph, Fofana was asked whether he will remain at Les Gones come the end of the transfer window.
He replied: "If I stay at OL? Trick question. In football, anything can happen. If I stay, it will be by being happy to stay at Lyon. That's it, we'll see. It's not that I want to leave, but if we have a good opportunity, we'll see."
There have been suggestions that Fofana would be seeking a move to a club in the Champions League if he is to depart Lyon before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Everton remain in pursuit of strengthening their wide options despite signing Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City. David Moyes’ squad does not have a recognised right-winger and it’s a position that the Toffees boss is trying to bolster.
Southampton’s Tyler Dibling is also on Everton’s radar. The Blues have been unsuccessful in their pursuit of the 19-year-old so far, with the Saints valuing him at around £50 million. Dibling has missed Southampton’s opening two games of this season, with head coach Will Still admitting that the winger has not been in the right headspace amid Everton’s interest.
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