Tottenham Hotspur are determined to bring a €50million Belgium international winger to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the January transfer window, according to a report, but his agent has already gone public with the star’s desire to succeed Mohamed Salah at Liverpool.
After winning the Europa League last season and subsequently appointing Thomas Frank as the manager, Tottenham were very active in the summer transfer window.
The north London club made the major signings of Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus and Randal Kolo Muani, among others, as they aim to finish in the Premier League top four and also make an impact in the Champions League this season.
Tottenham were also trying to sign another attacking player before the summer transfer window closed on September 1.
Malick Fofana was one of the players that Tottenham tried to sign late in the window, and, according to CaughtOffSide, the north London club remain keen on him following Daniel Levy’s decision to step down as the chairman.
Lyon turned down an approach from Tottenham for Fofana on transfer deadline day because they did not have enough time to sign a replacement for the left-winger.
However, Tottenham still consider Fofana ‘a key target’ and are planning an approach once the window opens again in January, with Lyon willing to sell the 20-year-old for €50m (£43.4m, $58.6m).
Inter Milan are also keen on a deal for Fofana, who has scored 16 goals and given eight assists in 65 appearances for Lyon since joining the French club from KAA Gent in January 2024.
Fofana has made a positive start to the new season, scoring one goal and registering one assist in three Ligue 1 appearances for Lyon.
Lyon have won all three of their league games and are level on points with leaders and defending French champions Paris Saint-Germain in second place in the table.
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Malick Fofana dreams of Liverpool transfer
Tottenham might be keen on a January deal for Fofana, but last season’s Europa League winners need to be wary of the threat posed by Liverpool.
TEAMtalk understands that Liverpool are among the clubs that showed interest in Fofana in the summer transfer window.
Sources told TEAMtalk’s Everton correspondent, Harry Watkinson, that along with Everton, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, too, made enquiries about the 20-year-old Belgium international winger.
In the end, Federico Chiesa’s decision to stay at Liverpool saw the defending Premier League champions end their pursuit of the Lyon winger, but his agent has previously gone public with the youngster’s desire to play for the Merseyside club.
Bobo Fofana told Africa Foot in May: “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.
“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.
“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 make a splash.
“For him, this would be an opportunity to continue his development and, above all, to showcase his talent in a league that favors transitional play.
“However, he’ll have to choose the right club, as competition is fierce across the Channel.”
A potential problem for Fofana in fulfilling his desire to play for Liverpool is the emergence of Rio Ngumoha.
Liverpool have high hopes of Ngumoha and plan to give the 17-year-old valuable playing time at left wing.
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