Newcastle United are reportedly keen on signing a 20-year-old Ligue 1 winger this summer, but face competition from the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham.
Despite Jacob Murphy’s brilliant form in the 2024/25 campaign, Newcastle United are looking to sign a new winger for their return to the Champions League.
Eddie Howe finished the 2023/24 season with a plethora of strikers at his disposal. Murphy, Miguel Almiron and Yankuba Minteh were all on the books, but Newcastle were forced to sell Minteh due to ongoing PSR concerns, and Almiron left a few months later.
Murphy did an excellent job for Newcastle in the circumstances, scoring some vital goals in the Premier League and bagging an assist in the Carabao Cup final to end an agonising trophy drought.
Newcastle tried to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo earlier this month, but were shocked to learn that the winger wanted as much as £250,000-a-week from the Magpies, forcing them to drop out of a deal.
Now, Newcastle have been named amongst several other clubs reportedly interested in signing a Ligue 1 winger who could be forced to leave his club.
Newcastle United quoted £40m for Lyon’s Malick Fofana
After a breakout season in France, it comes as no surprise that Malick Fofana has attracted interest in England. At just 20 years old, the winger has amassed 100 league appearances for three different clubs and has even been capped by the Belgium national team.
Last season, Fofana scored an impressive five goals and bagged four assists in Ligue 1 for Lyon, but the youngster could now be moved on due to their ongoing financial issues.
According to Julien Laurens and ESPN, Newcastle are battling the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton for Fofana, who has been one of the “most-talked-about players” this month.
The report adds that clubs have been quoted between £40m-£45m for him this summer, a fee that is being considered “significant” by Laurens.
Despite the heavy interest in him, Fofana is believed to be happy at Lyon and is not actively looking to leave. However, Lyon’s desperate need for cash could see him forced to leave and balance the books.
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Newcastle United have one big problem with Lyon’s Malick Fofana
Early signs suggest that Fofana would be a good addition for Newcastle, and one that could benefit Howe for many years to come. However, there is one big problem which could prove costly if a deal goes through.
Fofana is a natural left-winger, rather than the right-sided attacker Newcastle are so eager to sign. The Magpies are already well stocked in that position, with Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes set to stay at Newcastle for another year, so Howe would have a dilemma over who he should play on that part of the pitch.
A minor positive for Newcastle is that Fofana did play on the right wing for a short period of time during the 2024/25 season, but it is evident that his most natural position is on the left.
Fofana is right-footed, so he should be able to play on the right for Newcastle, but the question of whether he would like to do that is another thing.
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