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Malick Fofana has provided an update on his future following transfer speculation amid links with both Liverpool and Everton.
The Reds remain linked with a move for the highly rated Lyon youngster, who could be sold this summer due to the French club’s ongoing financial difficulties. Lyon’s troubles—which saw the club briefly demoted to Ligue 2 last month before the decision was overturned—has forced the club to consider selling its top talents, with Rayan Cherki already moving to Manchester City.
Everton is also looking to bolster their attacking options this summer and have reportedly kept Fofana on their radar. The 20-year-old enjoyed a productive campaign last season, registering 11 goals and six assists in 41 appearances for Paulo Fonseca's side.
Everton’s $42.6 million bid for Fofana was rejected by Lyon. The 20-year-old demonstrated why the Blues are interested on the opening day of the 2025-26 season, setting up Georges Mikautadze’s goal in the 1-0 win at Lens. Following the victory, Fofana was asked whether he would remain at Les Gones until the end of the transfer window.
"If I stay at OL? Trick question" said the 20-year-old. "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 may be in the market for a new left winger following Luis Diaz’s move to Bayern Munich, though it remains unclear whether the Reds will pursue Fofana, given the options already available on the left flank.
Cody Gakpo has already begun the season in that role, while Hugo Ekitike is also capable of playing there, and anticipation continues to build around teenage prospect Rio Ngumoha.
Speaking to Lyon-based newspaper Le Progres earlier this summer, Lyon technical director Matthieu Louis-Jean said: "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."
If a move to Anfield comes to fruition, Fofana would be joining the club of his dreams, his agent Bobo Fofana revealed in an interview with Africa Foot earlier this year.
"The choice of heart would be Liverpool," Fofana said. "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."
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