There continues to be doubts surrounding the future of Youssouf Fofana, especially now interest has arrived from the Premier League.
When he signed two years ago from Monaco, the hope was that Fofana could be the ideal ‘balancer’ in the midfield to work alongside Tijjani Reijnders and help the Dutchman flourish at the other end. He has since been used in multiple roles, including as a box-to-box man under Massimliano Allegri.
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Palace in for Fofana
According to Luca Bianchin of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Fofana wants to play a lot in the 2026-27 season. He wants to do so ideally at Milan, but he is willing to consider a move to another club if this does not look possible.
Speaking of which, Crystal Palace are following him and are an option for the Frenchman. Fofana sees himself as a midfielder to play deeper, not as an attacking midfielder. Ruben Amorim’s opinion will be important in determining whether he will stay.
As a reminder, Milan paid over €20m to land Fofana two summers ago so they are likely to want to recoup their investment. In the past few days Turkish side Besiktas have been linked with a move for him, while some cryptic social media activity has also gathered some attention.
Last season, Fofana made 33 league appearances for Milan playing mostly on the right side of a midfield three. He scored twice and racked up three assists.
30 million minimum
Maignan- Gila, ???, Pavlovic- Alexis ?, ???, Rabiot, ???- ???, Pulisic- Ramos;
Torriani- Koni, Gabbia, Diawara/Odogu/Filippo- Athekame, Modric, Fofana, Bartesaghi- Chukwueze, Nkunku- Camarda;
Pietro, Ardon (or Musah), Comotto, Cisse, SC.
Basically, five more signings.
Or six IF Alexis Saelemaekers or Athekame are to be sold this summer.
*are/were
Maybe Koni will be the 3rd starting CB, I have high expectations of him tbh. I would actually offload Musah if we can get any offer for him; maybe keep Fofana-Ricci-Modric-Comotto for subs with Rabiot-Ardon the main guys in midfield. I don’t know if Ardon is ready tho.
He’s not ready and that wouldn’t work. De Winter could be that 3rd CB but I think we’ll sign another one this summer.
Ardon is never going to be the main guy in midfield, because he isn’t a good player.
We need fofana as balancer he was very good at cut enemy attack, recover the ball and pass it to someone more creative, if we have 2 fantatista at front he will be very useful as an achor
Agree with you, but IMO he’s better for a midfield 3 than a 2. In this formation, he’s more of a Rabiot alternative than a Modric backup.
For me, we have Modric/Jashari for one spot, Rabiot/Fofana for the other, with Ricci and Comotto as wildcards.
But as things stand, we also have RLC (also maybe an attacking mid backup), Bondo and Musah in the mix there.
Well said and on point but Ardon is an alternative for Rabiot as well, not just/only for Modric (I am not so sure whether he will be a regular starter); Ricci shall be offloaded, that’s almost certain as things stand…
Jashari was absolutely 100% horrible last season, and at the WC, why on earth do you think he will be a good option for Milan?
Comparing his stats on DataMB and visuals, show almost a copy paste between him from season 24/25 and Rabiot from season 25/26
This means Fofana if used in his natural role (he said himself he doesn’t like the role Allegri gave him), can be a valuable alternative to Rabiot.
They’d only have to figure out the other half of the midfield with Modrić, Ricci, Jashari who are all midfielders with different characteristics that do not complement each other and playing them in pair is not functional in my opinion.
Comotto resembles Modrić the most in my opinion but don’t know if the kid is ready.
Different MCs but do not complement each other? They are in fact similar to a certain extent i.e. they are not so different at all but they probably would not play well together, that much is true.
Still have some garbage to get rid of : El Stupido Estupinian, El Bidone Gimenez, Ardon Аss shari.
Brought for 90 Mln 🤡🤑
Ricci?
Kostic?
I’ve sensed it from the start and now I am sure of it, you are just a bad person. Avoid RVLT from now on.
Rather autobiographical of you, comrade.
Chill buddy boy, you need to get it through your head that you’re not the only one with the comments. I’ve sensed it from the start that you don’t accept anyone else’s comments except yours, and now I am sure of it, you love your comments only. But it’s ok, I will not avoid myself from commenting or voicing my opinion. Period.
” Fofana sees himself as a midfielder to play deeper, not as an attacking midfielder. ”
If so, then wtf is he so lazy to defend? It’s like he doesn’t give a damn about protecting his own goal. Ever. But then again… I can understand why he doesn’t see himself as a attacking midfielder as he ALWAYS chooses the wrong decisions in the attacking zone. The nearer the goal, the more horrible decision.
I think Fofana would do well in a role where he never leaves the middle of the pitch. He’s decent there but the closer he gets to either of the goals the worse he gets.
Fofana is a defensive midfielder and despite being played out of position, he was, along with Modric and Rabiot, Milan’s best midfield combination. He actually won matches for Milan last season….He would be awesome in a double pivot. I’d play him before the useless duo of Ricci and Jashari all day.