In demand: Malick Fofana
The highly-rated Lyon youngster, who netted 11 goals and provided six assists last season, has attracted interest from both Liverpool and Everton.
Everton are searching for attacking options on the right flank, while Liverpool are looking to bolster their options in the final third amid Ben Doak’s potential departure.
Lyon could be compelled to sell due to financial difficulties, having already lost Rayan Cherki to Manchester City.
After Lyon’s 1-0 win over Lens at the weekend, Fofana was questioned about whether he would still be in France after the transfer window shut.
"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."
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."
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Should a move to Liverpool develop, it would represent Fofana’s ideal destination, his representative, Bobo Fofana, revealed in a conversation 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.”