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A representative of Malick Fofana, who was linked with Liverpool during the summer transfer window, says his client is likely to end up at one of the biggest clubs in the world in the future.
Fofana turned down transfer moves to Everton and Fulham in the previous window, holding out for something better in the months and years to come. But his agent, Roc Nation Sports director Frederico Pena, has outlined why the 20-year-old made the decision he did in the summer — and what the next 12 months might hold for him.
"Fofana feels very valued in Lyon," Pena told Het Laatste Nieuws. "He did not want to take this risk."
Pena added that Fofana could "become a world star like Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal or Kevin De Bruyne", backing him to end up at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
"This is the season where Fofana wants to show himself to the world, especially at the World Cup," he said. "If he succeeds, he could move from Lyon to a top 10 club.
"We have a lot of faith in him at Roc Nation. He belongs at clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich."
Fofana scored 11 goals in all competitions last season and has already found the back of the net twice in the current campaign. Lyon is playing in the Europa League and is fourth in Ligue 1, a point behind league leader PSG.
Kevin De Bruyne was recently asked about Fofana and he compared him to a former Manchester City teammate.
"If you look at how modern football is played, there are more man-to-man situations," De Bruyne said, 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.
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"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."
Asked about transfer interest from Liverpool and Chelsea at the end of the summer transfer window, Fofana explained his decision.
"There was interest from those two clubs (Liverpool and Chelsea), but ultimately it wasn’t concrete enough," he 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."
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