{"id":195818,"date":"2025-06-19T01:03:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T01:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/195818\/"},"modified":"2025-06-19T01:03:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T01:03:12","slug":"liverpool-join-chelsea-in-transfer-race-for-43m-star-who-wants-anfield-move","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/195818\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool join Chelsea in transfer race for \u00a343m star who &#8216;wants Anfield move&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Lyon star Malick Fofana has been on Chelsea&#8217;s radar for a potential summer transfer but the Blues have now reportedly been joined by Liverpool in the race for his signature<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_Olympique-Lyonnais-v-Stade-Rennais-FC-1901-Ligue-1-McDonalds.jpg\" alt=\"Malick Fofana celebrating a goal for Lyon\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Malick Fofana has admirers in the Premier League(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Liverpool are ready to rival Chelsea for Malick Fofana, and could benefit from the player reportedly favouring a move to Merseyside. The Lyon star, 20, has been linked with a \u00a343m exit as the Ligue 1 club continue to trim their squad after selling Rayan Cherki to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/manchester-city-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Manchester City<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Belgium international Fofana joined Lyon from Gent in 2023 and starred in their run to the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/uefa-europa-league\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Europa League<\/a> quarter-finals last season. The winger scored six goals in 10 appearances in the competition, and also won a penalty in the dramatic 5-4 defeat at <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/manchester-united-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Manchester United<\/a> which saw his team eliminated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">According to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lequipe.fr\/Football\/Article\/Chelsea-liverpool-manchester-united-les-cadors-de-premier-league-s-arrachent-fofana-a-prix-d-or\/1570733\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"L&#039;Equipe,Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">L&#8217;Equipe,<\/a> <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/chelsea-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Chelsea<\/a> have made contact with Lyon&#8217;s management and now <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Liverpool<\/a> have joined the race. The Reds are believed to have made contact with Fofana&#8217;s new representatives Roc Nation, whose roster also includes <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/arsenal-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Arsenal<\/a> star Gabriel Martinelli and Real Madrid&#8217;s Vinicius Junior.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Earlier in the year, Fofana&#8217;s then agent Bobo Fofana hinted a move to Anfield might well be his preference were he to leave Lyon. Since then, it has emerged that a bid in the region of \u00a343m might be enough to get a deal over the line.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">&#8220;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 <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/mohamed-salah\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Mohamed Salah<\/a>, Sadio Man\u00e9, and El-hadji Diouf,&#8221; Bobo Fofana told <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/africafoot.com\/malick-fofana-devrait-il-quitter-lyon-loption-se-dessine\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"AfricaFootLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">AfricaFoot<\/a>. &#8220;Now, the choice of reason would be <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/newcastle-united-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Newcastle<\/a>, a well-structured club that could be a first step to gain experience before, perhaps, joining a club in the European top 5.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/transfer-news-live-man-utd-35403170\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Transfer news LIVE: Gyokeres update, Arsenal striker &#8216;agreement&#8217;, eye-watering Wirtz payment<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/chelsea-mamadou-sarr-liverpool-transfer-35414143\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chelsea&#8217;s Mamadou Sarr compares himself to Liverpool star in bold claim after \u00a312m transfer<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Liverpool&#8217;s reported interest comes amid continued uncertainty over the future of Luis Diaz. The Colombian star continues to be linked with <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/fc-barcelona\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Barcelona<\/a>, though Liverpool are standing firm and want big money if he is to leave.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">&#8220;I&#8217;m very happy at Liverpool &#8211; I&#8217;ve always said so. They&#8217;ve welcomed me very well,&#8221; Diaz told <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beinsports.com\/en-asia\/football\/premier-league\/articles\/diaz-insists-im-very-happy-as-liverpool-reject-barca-approach-2025-06-05\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"beIN SPORTSLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">beIN SPORTS<\/a> during the June international break. &#8220;If Liverpool gives us a good extension, or I have to see out my two-year contract, I&#8217;ll be happy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_GettyImages-2215074234.jpg\" alt=\"Rayan Cherki and Malick Fofana at Lyon\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Fofana&#8217;s ex-colleague Rayan Cherki (L) has already completed a Premier League move(Image: Dave Winter\/Icon Sport via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Lyon have been trimming their squad after missing out on <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/champions-league\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Champions League<\/a> qualification as they look to deal with financial pressures. Cherki&#8217;s exit has been the highest-profile move so far, with the playmaker joining Manchester City for around \u00a336.5m, while former <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/west-ham-united-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">West Ham<\/a> winger Said Benrahma has left for Saudi side Neom.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">&#8220;I want to win everything with City,&#8221; said Cherki, who made his first City start against Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday. &#8220;When I spoke with Pep [Guardiola] he said he wanted me. He was very, very clear [on that] and the system, the club, the city is very good for me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/KpLVIG1AXsd0FvfduhjjzO\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Join our new WhatsApp community <\/a>and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you&#8217;re curious, you can read our <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n<p>This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/affiliates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1744106962_61_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a343<\/p>\n<p>\u00a335<\/p>\n<p>Sky<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;platform=dl&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\">Get the deal here<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Sky has slashed the price of its <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;platform=dl&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Essential TV and Sky Sports<\/a><\/strong> bundle ahead of the 2025\/26 season, saving members \u00a3192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Lyon star Malick Fofana has been on Chelsea&#8217;s radar for a potential summer transfer but the Blues have&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":195819,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8815],"tags":[748,6274,393,4884,7068,179,763,10039,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-195818","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-liverpool","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-chelsea-fc","10":"tag-england","11":"tag-great-britain","12":"tag-ligue-1","13":"tag-liverpool","14":"tag-liverpool-fc","15":"tag-lyon","16":"tag-uk","17":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114707339961030111","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/195818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=195818"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/195818\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/195819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=195818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=195818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=195818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}