Team newspaper: Chelsea interested in winger Malik Fofana, Lyon priced at over 50 million euros

June 17 According to French media "Team" report, Chelsea has made preliminary contact with Lyon about Belgian winger Malik Fofana, and other Premier League clubs are also taking action. Lyon's price for Malik Fofana exceeds 50 million euros.

It is not yet certain whether Malik Fofana will return to the team when Lyon's pre-season training resumes, because before that, major changes in the player's career and life may occur. As the most valuable player in the team, Malik Fofana may follow in the footsteps of his former teammate Sherky to the Premier League this summer.

In fact, several English clubs have begun to pay close attention to him, and Chelsea has taken the lead in recent hours to contact Lyon's management.

This is just an informal exchange. The Blues have not yet made a formal offer, but they have enough financial resources to sign Malik Fofana, and Lyon asks him for at least 50 million euros. Malik Fofana transferred from Ghent to Lyon in January 2024 for 19.5 million euros and quickly integrated into the team, first as a substitute surprise and then as a starter, performing well last season.

After a successful season, Malik Fofana made 41 appearances in various competitions, scored 11 goals and had 6 assists. He was temporarily affected by a knee injury in the spring, and Fofana has become an international player in the Belgian national team. Although this is not his absolute priority, he is not against entering the Premier League this summer.

In addition to Chelsea, the interests of other giants may also shake him: Although Nottingham Forest has tried, it does not seem to have enough strength, while Manchester United, especially Liverpool, have strong competition conditions. The Reds have even had preliminary discussions with the player's new agent, Brazil's RocNation, which manages several players in clubs such as Crystal Palace, and John Tuctor owns 45% of Crystal Palace.

Lyon owners do not seem to be in a hurry to sell Malik Fofana. In any case, before the June 24 June review deadline, Lyon did not have urgent demand for sale, because Lyon's own funding situation has improved in recent days. Therefore, the bidding around Malik Fofana may be quite fierce, and he will be one of the important focus figures in the Ligue 1 transfer market this summer.