Liverpool and Everton have both been linked with a move for Lyon winger Malick Fofana
LENS, FRANCE - AUGUST 16: Malick Fofana #11 of Olympique Lyonnais looks on during the Ligue 1 McDonald's match between RC Lens and Olympique Lyonnais at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on August 16, 2025 in Lens, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
Malick Fofana of Olympique Lyonnais looks on during the Ligue 1 match with RC Lens at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on August 16, 2025 in Lens, France
(Image: Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
Malick Fofana has offered an insight into his future amid transfer speculation linking him with both Everton and Liverpool. The Merseyside rivals have both been credited with interest in the highly-rated Lyon youngster, who could depart this summer as the French club grapples with ongoing financial woes.
Lyon's predicaments - which saw the club temporarily relegated to Ligue 2 before the ruling was reversed last month - have compelled them to contemplate offloading their star assets, with Rayan Cherki having already secured a switch to Manchester City.
Everton are seeking to strengthen their attacking options, particularly on the right, and they are said to have had an offer turned down for Fofana, who scored 11 goals and finished with six assists last season.
Liverpool are also looking for reinforcements in the final third of the field after Ben Doak moved a step closer to following the likes of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez out of the Anfield exit door.
And Fofana illustrated precisely why both clubs could be keen on the opening day of the 2025-26 Ligue 1 campaign, providing the assist for Georges Mikautadze's strike in Lyon's 1-0 triumph at Lens.
After the match, Fofana was questioned about whether he would stay at Les Gones until the transfer window closes, reports Liverpool.com.
"If I stay at OL? Trick question," the 20-year-old responded.
"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."
Liverpool could be searching for a fresh left-sided attacker following Diaz's switch to Bayern Munich, though it's uncertain whether they will make a move for Fofana, considering the alternatives already at their disposal.
Cody Gakpo has already started the campaign in that position, while new signing Hugo Ekitike can also operate there, and excitement continues to grow around teenage talent Rio Ngumoha.
In conversation with Lyon-based publication Le Progres earlier this summer, Lyon technical director Matthieu Louis-Jean commented: "We've committed to a certain number of sales. It's not certain that it will be Malick (Fofana).
"The problem with Malick is that he's an excellent player, so it's clear that we'll be attacked now, tomorrow, in six months, in a year. After that, we'll decide based on the offers that come in."
Should a transfer to Liverpool materialise, Fofana would be joining his ideal club, his representative Bobo Fofana disclosed in a chat with Africa Foot earlier this year.
"The choice of heart would be Liverpool," Fofana stated. "He has the potential to enter the rotation, and above all, we would like to see him succeed African legends such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Elhadj Diouf.
"Now, the choice of reason would be Newcastle, a well-structured club that could be a first step to gain experience before, perhaps, joining a club in the European top five."