Liverpool are reportedly tussling with Arsenal and Barcelona for a Lyon winger Malick Fofana, as they potentially eye up Mohamed Salah successors.
Salah’s struggles have been evident so far this season, with the Egyptian a shadow of the player who has been one of the Reds’ best-ever players over the past eight years.
At 33, it is only natural that the Liverpool legend may not be quite the force he once was and it is important that long-term replacements are looked at in the coming transfer windows.
According to a new update from Sport [via Sport Witness], Barca have made contact with Fofana over a move to the club, but the Reds and Arsenal are also interested in acquiring his signature.
Lyon have demanded £44m for the Belgian in the past, which still seems to be the case, and there looks set to be a tussle for him in 2026.
Fofana a fantastic long-term option for Liverpool
Fofana is a player with a huge future in the game, with scout Jacek Kulig hailing his “flair” and comparing him to Real Madrid legend Vinicius Jr, which is high praise for any winger in the modern game.
Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne has likened the 20-year-old to former Manchester City teammate Jeremy Doku, who tore Liverpool apart in Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at the Etihad:
“Is Malick similar in style to Doku? Yes, they are both wingers, fairly small, fast. Of course, Jeremy has been with us for five or six years. He also plays for Manchester City, which, with all due respect, is a level above Lyon. Malick is younger and still developing.”
Malick has already proven himself at the top level despite his tender years, scoring one goal in five caps for Belgium and bagging 16 goal contributions in 55 Ligue 1 appearances, and he is capable of excelling on both the left and right wing.
He should be considered a great option for Liverpool for years to come, not necessarily coming in as a direct replacement for Salah – he is at his best on the left flank – but adding much-needed attacking depth in wide areas for the Premier League champions.
