Nottingham Forest agrees deal with French giants for Tottenham target Malick – Romano

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Rohan Sengupta | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 4:02 PM ET

Tottenham target Lyon winger Malick Fofana is waiting for a Champions League club to make offer

Most of Tottenham Hotspur’s focus during this summer transfer window has been on signing attacking players, with several stars linked.

Antoine Semenyo has been on the North London club’s radar for months now, but he dealt them a big blow by signing a new contract with Bournemouth until 2030. Now, the Lilywhites’ current focus is on West Ham United attacker Mohammed Kudus. However, they won’t have an easy route to sign Kudus due to Chelsea’s interest in the player.

Another winger who has emerged as a target for Tottenham is Lyon’s Malick Fofana, who is valued at around £40m-£45m. Lyon are in a perilous position, having just been relegated to Ligue 2 due to financial mismanagement. They have appealed the decision, but it is clear that several of their key players are looking to get out of this big mess by jumping ship regardless of whether or not their demotion is sustained.

EXCL: Nottingham Forest have agreed deal with Olympique Lyon for Malick Fofana… but no agreement yet on player side.

Fofana, waiting for Champions League clubs with Chelsea still keen on the player.

Understand Bayern and Napoli have also called to make initial approach. pic.twitter.com/dp8XtwDP9x
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 1, 2025

Malick Fofana is one such player, with transfer news king Fabrizio Romano claiming on X that Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal with Lyon to sign him. However, he is yet to agree personal terms with Nottingham Forest as the winger is waiting for Champions League clubs, like Chelsea, to submit offers. Bayern Munich and Napoli have made ‘initial approaches’ to sign the Lyon starlet.

Forest agreeing a fee with the French side for Fofana is another fresh setback for Tottenham in their pursuit for attacking reinforcements. But the deal is not done and dusted as the Belgium international is yet to agree terms with the Tricky Trees, and with Romano claiming that he is waiting for Champions League clubs to enter the race, Tottenham still do have a chance.

Son Heung-min’s powers are waning and there is a possibility of him getting cashed in this summer. Wilson Odobert endured an injury-ravaged debut season at N17, while Brennan Johnson has a habit of going missing in games. This is why Spurs need another winger who can both create and score goals, and Fofana fits the bill perfectly.

Despite not being a regular starter and missing some games due to injury, Fofana delivered 17 goal contributions in 41 games for Lyon last season. A highly-rated talent across Europe, the diminutive Belgian is still only 20 and has a lot to develop but his potential is undeniable. Thomas Frank will be an ideal manager to unlock the flashy winger’s high potential, whilst Spurs can offer him Champions League football next season.

That said, Tottenham must react to the recent developments and try hijacking Forest’s move for Fofana.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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