Tottenham Hotspur attempted a last-gasp move for 20-year-old Lyon winger on deadline day of the summer transfer window.

According to a report by Give Me Sport, Malick Fofana was the subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur. The Lilywhites were keen on signing a wide attacker before the summer transfer window shut down. Arsenal and Liverpool also pursued the Lyon winger’s signature, with the Ligue 1 outfit demanding £52 million to part ways with him. However, a move did not materialise.

Malick Fofana and his progress in Ligue 1

Malick Fofana has come leaps and bounds since joining Lyon from KAA Gent in January 2024. The Aalst native spent his formative years in Belgium and graduated from the youth division at KAA Gent. However, he has risen in prominence since moving to France, becoming one of the most promising young wingers in Ligue 1 in the last 18 months.

The 20-year-old has made over 50 appearances thus far for Lyon while chipping in with 16 goals and eight assists. Meanwhile, Fofana’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile Premier League clubs. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur were among the prospective suitors for his signature in the summer transfer window.

Many clubs pursued Fofana this summer

The Belgian international has been on Arsenal’s radar for several months. The Gunners were keen on reinforcing their offensive unit by signing a productive wide attacker in the summer transfer window. So, the highly-rated Lyon winger emerged as a target for Arsenal before they re-signed Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.

As for Liverpool, Luis Diaz departed from Anfield Anfield in the summer transfer window and joined Bayern Munich in a big-money move. So, the Reds combed the market for a wide attacker, with Malick Fofana being an option worth considering. However, the Premier League champions eventually landed two strikers, with Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak moving to the Merseyside club.

Meanwhile, Tottenham attempted a late move to sign Fofana after securing the agreement for Randal Kolo Muani. The Lyon winger could have been the second arrival from Ligue 1 at the North London club, as they wanted a long-term replacement for Son Heung-min. Savinho was a target for Tottenham before Manchester City blocked the Brazilian’s exit.

Meanwhile, Lyon will demanded around £52 million to part ways with the 20-year-old Belgian international in the summer transfer window. Everton, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, and Bayern Munich were also keen on signing Fofana, but he remained with the Ligue 1 club beyond the summer transfer window.