Newcastle United and Southampton are eyeing a move for Angers SCO goalkeeper Yahia Fofana in the summer window, according to L’Equipe.
The Ligue 1 club are 13th in the table and 24-year-old Fofana has kept seven clean sheets and conceded 51 goals from 33 games.
Fofana is being courted by English clubs, with both Newcastle and Southampton named.
His contract expires in 2026, and Angers sporting director Laurent Boissier has indicated he could leave after this season. Intermediaries are trying to get involved to place him at a new club.
The report states: ‘… the most serious lead are as follows: just a fortnight ago, Newcastle came into the picture.’
Nick Pope, 33, has been the first-choice stopper for Eddie Howe, with 36-year-old Martin Dúbravka as his backup. The duo’s contracts last until 2026, and the Magpies seem to be searching the market for a new goalkeeper.
The French-born Ivory Coast international would be on Newcastle’s list and they recently asked about him.
L’Equipe warns Newcastle that they will ‘face a fierce battle’ to sign him as Southampton and Torino also in the picture. The two clubs sent officials to watch Fofana live in action earlier this month.
The player wouldn’t favour Southampton as they have been relegated from the top flight. The Serie A side’s interest need to be taken seriously especially since Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić’s future remains uncertain.
Fofana will take time to analyse the best option and then make a decision on his future. The report adds his sale could be closed for €8-10m this summer.
