Liverpool, Arsenal transfer news: Premier League clubs 'battling' for young attacker available at 'bargain fee'

Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa have reportedly emerged as some of the main clubs in the race for Lyon winger Malick Fofana.

Lyon were handed a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 during the recent international break, and must pay off their debts by the end of the season to avoid being demoted.

It is believed owner John Textor must find roughly €100m (£83m) before next summer to avoid relegation, meaning a fire sale could be in store at the Groupama Stadium this January.

Lyon are among one of the most in-form clubs in France at present, having now gone seven games unbeaten domestically, and they thrashed Qarabag 4-1 in the Europa League on Thursday evening, making many of their players enticing targets for the upcoming transfer window.

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Fire sale in store at Lyon?

Among those in-form players is teenager Fofana, who has quickly emerged as one of the biggest attacking talents in Europe this season.

The Belgian only joined Les Gones in the summer from Gent in a deal worth around €17m (£14m), instantly becoming a first-team regular, having already played 17 games for Lyon, and making his senior debut for the national team.

According to CaughtOffside, some of the Premier League's top clubs have taken notice, and could move for the player given the fact Lyon must sell in January.

The financial troubles with OL means they could accept a fee as little as €30m (£25m) in the winter window - a time in the season where it is often difficult to do business and find bargains.

It is not just Premier League clubs in for Fofana either, as the report claims that AC Milan, Juventus and Bayern Munich are also keeping tabs on the young winger.

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What could Fofana bring to those Premier League clubs?

As an explosive and tricky wide man, Fofana is the type of the player who could take well the high-octane manner of the Premier League.

Fofana scored in Lyon's win this evening, and that is his sixth goal of the campaign already, and that form was enough to impress Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco, who handed him his international debut against Italy last month.

For Liverpool, with Mohamed Salah's contract situation still up in the air, Fofana could be a player that the club considers to attempt to replace the Reds legend in Arne Slot's side.

Conversations have been had about Arsenal's need to bolster their attacking options, despite an impressive 5-1 win over Sporting Lisbon this week, while Aston Villa will also need to strengthen if they want to push for another top-four finish in the Premier League.

Written by
Andrew Delaney