AC Milan have been handed a boost in their reported pursuit of Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana as an admission has arrived that he is likely to move this summer.
It has been written by the media and exclaimed by fans that Milan’s defensive struggles this season are at least in part down to the lack of a natural deeper-lying midfielder in the squad, someone who can help shield a back four which has been constantly changing.
Rade Krunic started in that position at the beginning of the season but quickly fell out of favour, and since then virtually every midfielder in the squad has been tried as the No.6, with Stefano Pioli also reverting to using a double pivot for long stretches too.
One of the names that has been linked is Fofana, who has established himself as one of the stars at Monaco and even with the French national team. La Gazzetta dello Sport recently reported that a bid is being lined up.
Now, Monaco director Thiago Scuro has confirmed that the Ligue 1 giants are prepared to sell him, as Fabrizio Romano relayed.
“He is probably one of the players that we are open to selling this summer. We will see the opportunities that he has, same for Guillermo Maripán.”
Romano gave an update on Fofana in his Daily Briefing column, with the journalist explaining that he is expected to leave for a cut-price deal.
“Monaco have hinted that Youssouf Fofana could be a name to leave the club this summer, but it’s still early to know for sure where he could go and for what kind of price,” Romano said.
“My understanding is that Monaco will communicate the asking price for Fofana in one or two weeks – I think he could be available around €20m but that’s just my opinion.
“There has been interest in Fofana before – last summer, he was on Manchester United and Inter list but it’s quiet with Inter now. Let’s see what the new Man United board will decide to do, while there could also be other clubs ready to join the race.”
20M€ seems like a bargain. He’s a key player for Monaco, they finished 2nd behind Paris, and he’s getting more and more involved with France. Deschamps is also known to pick hard workers and good characters to play for France.
Dope jersey btw. Allez les Bleus !
This would be a good buy, strong, pacey hard tackling midfielder, that also reads the game well, and for that money he’s a good choice. could be the first real replacement for the Kessie sized hole in the midfield if we do get him.
I doubt we can outbid Manchester United which is unfortunate, he does seem like a suitable candidate for us and is not even that expensive (we can pretty much get him with just the benefits we’re going to get from CDK).
We should hurry to try to get him before there is a biding race for him.
We’re signing Fonseca, so stop dreaming. Amrabat is our reality and I’m hopeful it’s at least so and Moncada won’t find some other moneyball no name from Ligue 1.
Fofana are french and from ligue 1 , so moncada will like him . 20m euro just like what ACM want , low cost but need to compete with other club for salary
If the details are correct, get him!
Don’t get to excited guys – he didn’t fit the algorithm so Thuram will go to Juve with Califiori and Zizkzee , and Fofana to Man U or smth. Our reality most likely Amrabat or watch out for league 1 adli like transfer
Good player, but not exactly a DM. Another box to box. Milan should get Guirassy and invest the budget on Ederson, a player that would alone solve a lot of defensive issues.
You are dreaming about Ederson with this management
I think he could and did play as a DM in some games.
My go to for DM is probably still Hojbjerg though.
Not that I think the management will go for any for them.
He can play 4231 or 433 . In 433 play him with bennacer ( if he dont leave ) and tiji . Fofana are hard working . 20m euro are bargain , he still better than amrabat or that DMF from spurs