Chelsea target Malick Fofana responds to transfer interest

Lyon winger Malick Fofana has acknowledged that there was some interest in signing him during the summer transfer window.

The Belgian was tipped to join Everton from Les Gones over the summer, but a deal did not materialise as he wanted a Champions League outfit.

Chelsea and Liverpool emerged as possible destinations last month, but neither made a genuine effort to land the 20-year-old from Lyon.

Speaking to HBVL, Fofana said: "There was interest from those two clubs, but ultimately it wasn’t concrete enough.

"I thought about a transfer, but I think it’s more important now that I play a lot, and that has to happen at Lyon.

"Of course [I want to go to the 2026 World Cup], but I realise I still have a lot to prove. I’ve already made progress."

Fofana was a target for the Blues this summer to bolster the left wing, but they decided to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United instead.

He was on Liverpool's radar after Luis Diaz's exit, but the Reds opted to bolster their strikeforce with Newcastle United star Alexander Isak.

Both clubs opted for different solutions towards the deadline. Fofana will be aiming for a strong campaign to secure a bigger move next summer.

He has registered one goal and one assist from three games this term.