Liverpool`s recruitment team has sprung into significant action this summer after a relatively quiet period over the past year. They`ve made a truly impressive start to the transfer window, substantially strengthening Arne Slot`s already formidable squad.
In moves that resemble a Football Manager transfer spree, the Anfield club has acted quickly and decisively to improve their options. They`ve already secured major deals for Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez, in addition to signing goalkeepers Armin Pesci and Freddie Woodman.
All of these signings were completed before the start of July, demonstrating the Premier League champions` impressive ability to strengthen their ranks, rather than weakening them, even with the expected departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
And more signings could be on the horizon. Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who now has just 12 months remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park, remains a key target for the Reds. Furthermore, a replacement will be needed for Darwin Nunez, who appears set to leave.
Elsewhere, uncertainty surrounding Luis Diaz`s future could necessitate bringing in a new option on the wings, and the club is reportedly already working on this aspect.
Latest on Liverpool`s Winger Search
Had circumstances been different, the Merseyside club might have finalized a particularly notable deal a year ago. A potential move for Newcastle United`s Anthony Gordon, which would have seen Joe Gomez move in the opposite direction, ultimately did not materialize.
Despite later signing Federico Chiesa instead, the desire for a new winger has certainly not diminished. Recent reports suggest that Liverpool could be among several clubs interested in Lyon`s young talent, Malick Fofana.
According to TEAMtalk, although Everton appears to have the strongest interest in the 20-year-old, Liverpool, along with clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, have also made enquiries about a potential transfer.
The competition for the Belgian player`s signature is described as `open,` with top-flight clubs looking to capitalize on Lyon`s current difficulties following their recent relegation from Ligue 1.
This significant drop to the French second division has led suitors to hope they can acquire Fofana`s signature for less than his previous €50m (£42m) asking price, meaning a potential bargain could be available.
Why Liverpool Should Sign Malick Fofana
While there is strategic sense in targeting a proven Premier League player like Kerkez, there is also considerable appeal in identifying and signing an exciting young talent from abroad. The Reds have already successfully done this by signing one of the Bundesliga`s brightest stars in Wirtz.
Wirtz, still only 22 years old, arrived in English football for £116m after a remarkable period at Bayer Leverkusen, where he contributed 122 goals and assists in just 197 games. Seb Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic`s Bundesliga correspondent, described the playmaker as “already one of the best footballers [he`s] ever seen live”.
Another notable characteristic of the rising star is his impressive versatility. He has demonstrated the ability to play effectively on either flank, as a number ten, or even as a false nine for both his club and national team.
This flexibility is seemingly shared by the `explosive` Fofana, as described by data analyst Ben Mattinson. The former Gent player has also operated on the left or right wing throughout his senior career, in addition to playing as a central forward or attacking midfielder.
The Belgian player is also similar to Wirtz in his excellent dribbling ability. According to FBref, the Lyon player ranks in the top 2% of his peers in Europe`s top five leagues for progressive carries per 90 minutes, while his German counterpart ranks in the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.
Naturally, Wirtz is the more established talent, as his record of 22 goals and assists in the league last season clearly shows. However, Fofana has also impressed when given opportunities, scoring five goals and providing four assists in Ligue 1 during the 2024/25 season, despite starting only 16 games.
This solid output has positioned Fofana in the top 10% of his European counterparts for non-penalty goals, with an average of 0.47 per 90 minutes. This statistic actually places him ahead of Wirtz, who averaged 0.38 in the same category.
Just as the former Leverkusen player was considered among the top talents in the Bundesliga, Fofana is a genuine gem in Ligue 1. He has even been noted as being `Eden Hazard-like` due to his impressive ability to dribble past defenders.
