Overview
- Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca said the club has rejected offers for Malick Fofana and plans to use him in the Champions League play-off, signaling the club does not want to sell right now.
- Transfer reporting says AS Roma have agreed personal terms with Fofana but have not reached a deal with Lyon, which has fixed a €37.5m fee plus €2.5m in bonuses for a total of €40m.
- Fofana returned to fitness and scored for Lyon in their recent Ligue 1 win over Toulouse, strengthening Lyon’s case to keep him and raising his market value.
- The player has told teammates he would prefer to stay if Lyon reach the Champions League group stage, making his transfer fate hinge on the upcoming play-off result.
- If Lyon qualify, the club would gain significant UEFA revenue that could reduce pressure to sell key players like Fofana and reshape late-window negotiations.