Liverpool have been linked with Lyon star Malick Fofana and the club’s financial woes could benefit the Reds, allowing them to secure a cut-price deal for the winger
Liverpool boss Arne Slot(Image: PETER POWELL, AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool could complete a cut-price move for winger Malick Fofana after seven-time French champions Lyon were relegated to Ligue 2 due to the poor state of their finances. The club were provisionally relegated in November, but were given a chance to show that things had improved.
However, the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG) were unconvinced and rubber-stamped Lyon’s demotion on Tuesday. American businessman John Textor owns a 77 percent stake in Lyon through his Eagle Football Group, which posted debts of £422million back in October.
Lyon have branded the decision to relegate the club “incomprehensible” and have said they will immediately file an appeal. It remains to be seen what the outcome of that appeal will be, but a number of clubs may look to swoop for Lyon’s stars if they are no longer a topflight club.
And Fofana has been linked with Liverpool already this summer, with Sky Sports Switzerland reporting earlier this month that the Reds’ chief scout Barry Hunter is a huge fan of the 20-year-old.
The report states that Liverpool are ‘genuinely interested’ in Fofana, but will have to sell Federico Chiesa before they can make a move for the winger. Chiesa struggled for game-time after joining the club from Juventus last season and has been linked with a return to Italy this summer.
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And Fofana’s former representatives, BF SportsPartner, have claimed that Liverpool would be the player’s dream move. They told Africafoot earlier this year: “The choice of heart would be Liverpool.
“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 El-Hadji Diouf. He has the profile to succeed in the Premier League.
“He possesses qualities similar to those of Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, namely speed, impact, and the ability to create opportunities. There’s no doubt he can shine.
Liverpool are reportedly interested in Malick Fofana(Image: Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
“For him, this would be an opportunity to continue his development and, above all, to showcase his talent in a league that favours transitional play. However, he’ll have to choose the right club, as competition is fierce across the (English) Channel.”
Fofana recently changed his representatives, signing with Roc Nation Sports in April. Roc Nation was founded by American rapper Jay-Z and counts a number of high-profile footballers among their clients, including Vinicius Jr, Gabriel Martinelli, Kevin De Bruyne and Endrick.
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
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