Exclusive: Chelsea to strike fallen Lyon for cheap Fofana deal, ‘cut-throat’ update
Chelsea could now look to take advantage of Lyon’s dire situation by striking a cut-price deal for the talented winger Malick Fofana.
That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that not only the Blues, but other clubs will be keeping an eye on the French club’s demise with a view to signing players cheaply.
The Blues are in need of added depth and quality in wide areas after Jadon Sancho returned to Man United, and Mykhailo Mudryk was charged by the FA with violating its anti-doping rules [BBC Sport].
Chelsea were pursuing a deal for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens prior to the beginning of the Club World Cup (CWC).
However, that deal fell through after the German side rejected an offer of £42million [BBC Sport] from Enzo Maresca‘s team.
Chelsea inquired about Fofana to Lyon on 16 June [The Athletic] when the transfer window reopened, but no deal has been agreed in that time.
Chelsea and other clubs to look at Lyon stars
Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, finance expert Plumley explained why Chelsea may revisit Fofana as an option, and why the Blues may actually want to wait for the outcome on Lyon’s case with French authorities.
He said: “Yeah, for sure, it is cutthroat but it is the way this industry operates. Club to club you’re gonna get this, and one club’s demise and problem situation is maybe to another club’s advantage.
“I get the feeling that it’s quite a conceivable thing that could happen.
“If you’re looking at one of Lyon’s players as an example, you might feel like now’s a good time to strike, you might want to wait until the outcome, until it’s officially confirmed, you might want to wait until the appeal.
“But that bit of uncertainty around what’s happening at Lyon, I think you will find that a lot of clubs, not just Chelsea, but other clubs will look to make a play on that because it’s kind of second nature in this industry.”
Chelsea continue offensive overhaul with Nicolas Jackson offers to be entertained
Whilst Fofana may be part of the incomings at Stamford Bridge, Nicolas Jackson could well be heading towards a Chelsea exit, Mick Brown told Football Insider.
The Senegalese striker has endured a horrendous 2025 in a blue shirt, scoring just one Premier League goal in the calendar year.
Jackson also received his second red card in three Chelsea matches after being sent off against Flamengo.
With Liam Delap scoring on his debut for Maresca’s side, and the West London team never being afraid to get busy in the transfer market, the end looks nigh for the former Villareal man.