Everton to seal Fofana transfer in days after £30m+ bid – Exclusive
This article includes exclusive comments from former Everton scout Bryan King.
Everton have made rapid progress in their bid to sign Lyon winger Malick Fofana.
The Toffees came from nowhere over the weekend to throw their hat in the ring for the 20-year-old, who enjoyed a hugely impressive campaign in France last time out.
David Moyes has recently bemoaned the difficulties that Everton have experienced in the transfer market so far this summer, but it now appears as though they could be about to get another new face through the door.
The Merseysiders seem intent on securing Fofana’s signature, as it continues to look as though the Belgian could be playing Premier League football this term.
Fofana deal to be done this week after Everton bid
Everton have already placed a bid of £31.4million for Fofana, which has showcased how desperate they are to bring him in.
Their opening proposal is believed to be marginally short of Lyon’s valuation of the young star, but it is understood that the French giants could potentially be open to a sale.
The Toffees are currently out in the USA on a pre-season tour, but they still require plenty of additions before their opening Premier League game on 18 August.
Ex-Goodison scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Goodison News – believes that the level of urgency at hand for Moyes and Co. could see them complete the Fofana deal by the end of this week.
“A player of that quality is certainly going to improve the squad,” King said.
“If you’re talking about a difference of three or four million, given how far the deal has already gone, I would imagine it will be done this week.
“Everton are in America at the moment, so if I were them, I’d want him (Fofana) to join up with the squad as quickly as possible. He’s a decent player, it’s a decent price, and he would certainly be a plus for the squad, that’s for sure.”
Fofana would be a great signing for Everton
Everton badly need additions at the top of the pitch, and Fofana would provide the level of quality that could transform their attacking fortunes this term.
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Ligue 1 | 29 | 5 | 4 |
| Europa League | 10 | 6 | 1 |
| Coupe de France | 2 | – | – |
| Total | 41 | 11 | 5 |
Iliman Ndiaye carries a serious threat for Moyes’ charges, but they could become a very dangerous threat to opposition defences if they could also bring a player of a similar skillset on the opposite flank.
Fofana loves to drive at full-backs and possesses the level of energy and trickery within his game that could make him a nightmare to deal with in the Premier League.
It remains to be seen how Lyon will respond to Everton’s advances, but with the speed that this pursuit has moved at so far, it would be no surprise to see the Toffees get the deal over the line imminently.
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