Chelsea signed quite a few players in the recently-concluded summer transfer window. They brought in players like Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Buonanotte. On the other hand, while the deals had been agreed earlier, Estevao and Dario Essugo also completed their moves to Stamford Bridge.
Then again, that does not mean that Chelsea signed all the players they were interested in. Xavi Simons and Fermin Lopez are clearly two names they missed out on. And it looks like a Belgian international was on their radar as well.
Malick Fofana is someone both Chelsea and Liverpool were linked with in this summer transfer window, although a move did not end up happening. So, the Belgian winger is still at Lyon.
Fofana has confirmed that Chelsea and Liverpool did show interest in him, although it was not concrete enough. As reported by Saturday’s edition of Het Belang van Limburg (via Sport Witness), he said:
"There was interest from those two clubs, but ultimately it wasn’t concrete enough. I’ve thought about a transfer, but I think it’s more important now that I play a lot, and that has to happen at Lyon. Because I still have progress to make."
€50m Belgian player confirms Chelsea interest in signing him
It is believed that it would take a transfer fee in the region of €50 million to convince Lyon to part ways with Fofana. He is coming out of a standout season in Ligue 1 and let's see if he can continue on this trajectory.
He has started the season well, that is for sure. Fofana has a goal and an assist as Lyon have won all three of their opening games in Ligue 1 and currently sit at second in the table.
If Fofana continues to perform like, then it is only a matter of time before top clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool come calling again. He was recently on the scoresheet for the Belgian national team as well.
One has to wonder if Chelsea dropped their interest in Fofana after signing Gittens. And if they did, was it the right decision? The Englishman's start to the campaign has been underwhelming while the Belgian is flying right now.