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Kevin De Bruyne has compared Malick Fofana to one of his former Manchester City teammates as the Lyon star continues to be linked with Liverpool.
Fofana had interest from various clubs around Europe this summer including Everton but opted to stay put and continue his development. And De Bruyne says the 20-year-old winger could go on to do great things in the game.
"If you look at how modern football is played, there are more man-to-man situations," De Bruyne told Het Nieuwsblad (via Voetbal Primeur). "If you have players who can dribble past opponents or create space for others, then that’s only a good thing.
"It’s all the better for us that another youngster like Malick is joining us. A Jeremy Doku type? Yes, they’re both wingers, quite small, quick.
"Of course, Jeremy has been with us for five or six years. He also plays for Manchester City, which — with all due respect — is a level above Lyon. Malick is younger and is still picking things up."
Fofana spoke openly at the end of the summer transfer window about the interest that he had from elsewhere. But he feels that his decision was the right one to move forward with.
"There was interest from those two clubs (Liverpool and Chelsea), but ultimately it wasn’t concrete enough", Fofana said.
"I’ve thought about a transfer, but I think it’s more important now that I play a lot, and that has to happen at Lyon because I still have progress to make.
"Of course [I have dreams of starting at the World Cup next summer] but I realize I still have a lot to prove. I’ve already made progress. I’m now more decisive and more involved in the game."
Liverpool has 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha who has emerged as a real option over the course of the summer. He has already netted a winning goal against Newcastle United this season and is expected to play a substantial role.
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Despite links with Fofana, the Reds didn't necessarily need to sign another wide forward as a result after adding Alexander Isak to its roster on deadline day. Federico Chiesa ended up staying put too despite interest from Italy.
"It was a great goal for a 16-year-old," Slot said after Ngumoha's goal at St James' Park (the teenager has since turned 17 at the end of August).
"Rio can finish so well for his age. I did hear someone say afterwards in the dressing room that he would have taken a first touch, but he is so confident! For his age, he is a really good finisher."
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