Newcastle United will reportedly compete with Liverpool to sign 20-year-old Belgian winger Malick Fofana from beleaguered French club Lyon this summer.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Malick Fofana is the subject of interest from Newcastle United. The Magpies are keen on reinforcing their offensive unit by signing a wide attacker in the summer transfer window. So, Anthony Elanga emerged as the top target for the Tyneside outfit, although they have identified alternatives after failing with a bid to sign him from Nottingham Forest.

So, the Lyon winger has emerged as an alternative on Newcastle United’s wishlist, with the Premier League club contacting his representatives. However, the Magpies face stiff competition from Liverpool, with the Merseyside outfit identifying him as a low-cost offensive solution.

Malick Fofana and his rise in France

Malick Fofana has established himself as one of the best young prospects in Ligue 1 since joining Lyon from KAA Gent in January 2024. A native of Aalst, the 20-year-old spent his formative years in Belgium and graduated from the youth division at KAA Gent. However, he has come leaps and bounds during his spell with Lyon.

The Belgian winger enjoyed an excellent 2024/25 campaign, amassing 11 goals and six assists in 2,280 minutes of game time across 41 appearances in all competitions. However, Lyon’s relegation to Ligue 2 due to financial mismanagement has created uncertainties surrounding several players’ futures. The situation has alerted many high-profile clubs, including Liverpool and Newcastle United.

Premier League move on the horizon?

Liverpool’s interest in Malick Fofana is understandable. The Reds are scouring the market for a wide attacker amid uncertainties surrounding Luis Diaz’s long-term future. So, the Lyon winger has emerged as a viable target for Liverpool, with the Premier League champions viewing him as a low-cost offensive solution.

As for Newcastle United, the Tyneside outfit did not replace Miguel Almiron after he rejoined Atlanta United earlier this year. So, Anthony Elanga emerged as the top target for Newcastle United. However, they have failed with a bid to sign the Swedish international, with the situation forcing them to look elsewhere for a new winger.

So, Fofana has emerged as an alternative, with Newcastle United contacting his representatives to discuss a summer move. Meanwhile, the Magpies have also identified other players to pursue if they do not sign Elanga, with Johan Bakayoko, Mohammed Kudus, and Karim Adeyemi also on their wishlist.