Liverpool and Chelsea were among the clubs to have looked at Lyon’s Malick Fofana in the summer window, and this was reported in the French media.
On June 17th, L’Equipe reported both the Reds and Chelsea had initiated contact over a move for the winger, and later that month, claims elsewhere stated the Blues looked at him as a cheaper option to Jamie Gittens.
Enzo Maresca’s side have signed Gittens from Borussia Dortmund and didn’t make further advances for Fofana, neither did Liverpool.
Fast forward to September and the Belgium international has now confirmed that both Liverpool and Chelsea showed interest in him in the summer, and Saturday’s edition of Het Belang van Limburg have relayed his comments.
The attacker, who has a contract until 2028, explains why he couldn’t join Arne Slot’s side or the Club World Cup winners.
“There was interest from those two clubs, but ultimately it wasn’t concrete enough. I’ve thought about a transfer, but I think it’s more important now that I play a lot, and that has to happen at Lyon. Because I still have progress to make,” he said.
The newspaper suggests the Premier League winners and the west London club would not made have advances because of Lyon’s price tag of €50m.
Fofana’s desire to start for Belgium at the next World Cup could have also played a part in convincing him to continue with the French club this season.
“Of course [dreams of starting at the World Cup], but I realise I still have a lot to prove. I’ve already made progress, I’m now more decisive and more involved in the game,” Fofana explained.
“Am I the rising star of De Rode Duivels? Well, I’m just a normal lad and I’m keeping my cool. I don’t focus on the media either, I just do what I love to do: dribble and score.”
