‘Exceptional’ player who snubbed Everton transfer told he can become as good as Lamine Yamal
Everton are bearing the fruits of their successful summer transfer window at the start of the Premier League season.
The Toffees entered the international break in eighth position after winning three, drawing two and losing two of their opening seven games.
Jack Grealish, who joined on loan from Manchester City, has revolutionised David Moyes’ attack with five goal involvements, while Everton’s signing of Keirnan Dewsbury-Hall has seen the duo form a devastating connection.
Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall have given Everton hope of qualifying for Europe. However, one player Moyes missed out on is already making them pay.
How close Everton came to signing Lyon’s Malick Fofana
Everton were interested in signing Malick Fofana from Lyon during the summer, with the 20-year-old emerging as one of Europe’s most exciting wingers.
Football Insider revealed at the start of August that Everton tabled a £30million bid for Fofana, although there was one clear reason why he rejected their advances.
As with many talented young players, Fofana has his ‘heart set’ on joining a Champions League club, which is why the Toffees ultimately failed to sell their project to him.
Since then, the Belgian international has recorded two goals and one assist in nine matches this term as he continues to dazzle in Ligue 1.
The fleet-footed winger has limitless potential, and as highlighted by FBref, ranks in the top 3% of players across Europe for progressive carries per 90 and the top 6% for progressive passes received in the final third.
Known for his incredible speed and trickery down the flank, Everton will feel frustrated that Fofana wasn’t sold by what they could offer, with some bigger clubs now taking a keen eye.
Fofana can become as good as Lamine Yamal
Arsenal shortlisted Fofana as an option after Everton failed in their pursuit, and they aren’t the only big Premier League clubs taking an interest in his talent.
According to his agent, Federico Penna – who is a general manager of Roc Nation Sports – Fofana is good enough to play for a team such as Liverpool or Manchester City.
| Players represented by Roc Nation Sports |
| Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid) |
| Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) |
| Lucas Paqueta (West Ham) |
| Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli) |
| Endrick (Real Madrid) |
“This is the season Fofana wants to show himself to the world, especially at the World Cup,” Penna told De Morgen. “If he succeeds, he can go from Lyon to a top ten club. We strongly believe in him at Roc Nation. Liverpool, Bayern, Man City—those are the clubs he belongs at.”
Penna is also a firm believer that Fofana can become a ‘world star’ in the mould of Kylian Mbappe or Lamine Yamal, who is currently setting the world alight at Barcelona.
“We want to get Fofana out of his shell,” he says. “Listen, he has the potential to be a world star like Mbappé, Yamal, or De Bruyne, but then you also have to become a personality off the pitch. That’s what we want to work on together.”
Penna also dubbed Fofana an ‘exceptional’ talent and clearly someone who could flourish in the Premier League.