Pochettino's Chelsea to-do list as 7 players could be sold
Youssouf Fofana has left the door ajar for Chelsea and Liverpool to swoop in this summer after an impressive season with AS Monaco. Compared to other high-quality midfielders on the market, Fofana could represent a good-value transfer option as both the Reds and Blues look to make up ground on their rivals.
Fofana made his senior breakthrough at Strasbourg before joining Monaco in 2020, where he is now coming to the end of his third full season as a first-team regular. The 24-year-old is not known for his goalscoring exploits but nurtures a reputation as an impressive passer with solid defensive numbers.
Believed to be priced at just under £22million, the French international is likely to be in high demand this summer, providing interested parties are willing to cough up the cash.
Liverpool and Chelsea have both been credited with links to Fofana, who came on as a substitute for Les Bleus in last year's World Cup final.
Chelsea chief Todd Boehly and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp are both reportedly interested in Fofana (Image: GETTY)
Amid the speculation around his future, Fofana spoke highly of Monaco but confessed that he would be open to playing with bigger names in the future. "Monaco is a great club in France and Europe," he stated, per the Evening Standard.
"A lot of big clubs come here to find players and we are all aware of this. If it is the right opportunity or moment [to leave], I can’t say. I don’t know but we are doing things the right way here at the moment.
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"I have already played with top players but if one day I can play with more big names then it will be a pleasure and mean I have performed well."
A player of Fofana's calibre could be a shrewd acquisition at either Anfield or Stamford Bridge this summer, with sought-after midfielders in the Premier League poised to come at a premium price. The likes of Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister have been linked with moves, but all would be several times as expensive as the Frenchman.
Youssouf Fofana has been with Monaco since 2020 (Image: GETTY)
Jurgen Klopp's Reds reportedly pulled out of the race for Jude Bellingham specifically so that the club could pursue several midfield options, rather than putting all their eggs in one basket. Fofana's palatable asking price could therefore sway owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) into making a formal approach.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are well-stocked for midfielders but a host of players are due to be auctioned off at the end of the season. It remains to be seen whether incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino shares the same enthusiasm about Fofana as the club's board.