Lyon’s poor start to the Ligue 1 season has seen the club dip heavily into the transfer market, and the arrival of Malick Fofana from Gent comes at enormous expense, as the club paid a reported 17 million euros plus 5 million extra in add-ons to sign the 5 foot 7 forward. At Gent, Fofana bagged just two goals in 41 league games, but is very highly rated in his homeland and has appeared for Belgium’s national youth team at every level, last appearing for the under-21 side in 2023.
In signing Fofana, Lyon have beaten Premier League duo West Ham and Bournemouth, as well as German club Schalke 04. The striker, who is of Guinean descent, has put pen to paper on a four year contract with the French side.
Comfortable playing on the left flank or the right side of attack, the 18-year-old is a versatile young player that could easily go all the way to become a national team member for Belgium.
It has been a miserable campaign for OL so far, despite a recent reversal of form, as the club sit in 15th place, having lost nine games out of 17 so far.