Liverpool looking to sign winger valued at 195 million

Liverpool is reportedly waiting to make a formal offer for Malick Fofana. The Merseyside club is evaluating the player with great interest, but is waiting for an attacking player to leave to make room in the squad.

According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the English team's directors are "ready" to advance negotiations and bring the winger to Anfield as soon as there is a definition regarding Federico Chiesa's future.

Furthermore, the club led by Arne Slot, last season's Premier League champion, has already made other moves this summer and is seeking reinforcements that fit the manager's tactical model. Fofana is seen as a key addition to the squad and maintain its high performance in domestic and European competitions.

Player details and link with Lyon

Discovered by Lyon, the 20-year-old Belgian played 41 matches in 2024/25, scoring 11 goals and providing 6 assists. He established himself as a regular starter in Ligue 1 and also participated in the club's UEFA Europa League campaign.

His performance consolidated his value in the market and sparked the interest of several clubs on the continent.

The French club's management has set a minimum fee of £51.5 million (equivalent to €60 million) to release him. As demand for his football is high, there's a possibility of an auction among interested parties. Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Bayern Munich, Leipzig, and Napoli have also made inquiries with the French club.

Interest from other clubs

Nottingham Forest previously held talks with Lyon, but the player opted to wait for inquiries from teams with guaranteed Champions League spots. Chelsea is also keeping a close eye on the outcome, despite having already signed Jamie Gittens and João Pedro this summer.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have not yet formalized a concrete offer for the athlete.

Olympique de Marseille, in turn, surprised by accelerating talks with the striker's staff. According to a report by the Pé Mercato website, the southern French club "positioned itself" to sign the young Belgian, despite its historic rivalry with Lyon. A potential deal with Marseille would be seen as controversial, as few direct transfers have occurred between the two rivals in recent decades.

Lyon's financial context

Lyon's permanence in the French football elite was only assured after an appeal that avoided forced relegation to Ligue 2. Even so, the club faces financial instability and sees Fofana as an opportunity to bolster its cash flow.

The recent sale of Rayan Cherki to Manchester City exemplifies the board's efforts to generate revenue from internally trained athletes.

The information used in this report was taken from the portals Inside Futbol, Liverpool FC, Manolada da Força and The Independent.