Everton can revisit cut-price Malick Fofana move as must-sell news emerges in France
Everton could have a second chance to sign Lyon winger Malick Fofana this summer amid financial issues at the Ligue 1 club.
The Toffees had been in advanced talks to sign the 21-year-old last summer and were reportedly offering a package worth around £39million.
But the move ultimately broke down, and Everton spent up to £40m on Southampton winger Tyler Dibling instead.
Fofana has struggled heavily with injuries this season, making just 16 appearances across all competitions amid problems with his ankle.
Everton transfer chiefs will be pleased to see that he has returned, however, and will get a rest this summer after he was snubbed for Belgium’s World Cup squad.
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VISIT THE EVERTON TRANSFER HUBFinancial issues at Lyon could open Malick Fofana door
Speaking in October, Federico Penna, Fofana’s agent, said he could become as good as Lamine Yamal in the coming years, in a blow for Everton.
The Toffees had come close to pulling off a deal for the winger, in a signing that undoubtedly would have been a coup.
| Malick Fofana | Stats – Ligue 1 2025-26 (per 90) |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.33 |
| Shots | 2.28 |
| Expected assists (xA) | 0.27 |
| Chances created | 1.20 |
| Successful dribbles | 0.84 |
| Fouls won | 2.64 |
| Duels won | 4.79 |
The Belgium international had just netted 11 goals across all competitions in the 2024-25 season, and was also attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool.
This summer, however, the situation is quite different. Fofana is coming off an injury-hit campaign, and has just two years remaining on his Lyon contract.
And the Ligue 1 side are in financial trouble. According to L’Equipe, Lyon must sell £17m worth of players by the end of June and likely £52m worth by the end of August if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Paulo Fonseca’s side lost their final two league games to slip into fourth and condemn themselves to qualifying matches before the start of the season.
Five players are considered untouchable – Dominik Greif, Moussa Niakhate, Tyler Morton, Corentin Tolisso and one of Fofana or Afonso Moreira.
Should Everton move quickly, a move for Fofana may well be available for a price lower than what they would have paid last summer.
Fofana has potential to be a ‘global star’
It said much about Fofana’s potential that the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal were reportedly tracking him last summer.
Despite a difficult season, the 21-year-old remains very highly rated and will hope to get back on the pitch more regularly next season.
“We do want to get Fofana out of his shell,” his agent, Pena, told De Morgen last year. “Listen, he has the potential to be a global star like Mbappé, Yamal, or De Bruyne, but to achieve that, he needs to develop a personality off the pitch as well. That is something we want to work on together.”
While Hill Dickinson Stadium does not offer the glamour of Santiago Bernabeu or Camp Nou, it could be just the ideal place for the next stage of Fofana’s development.
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