Manchester United reportedly made a bold, last-minute attempt to recruit Lyon’s promising winger, Malick Fofana, during the closing moments of the transfer window, following the sale of their own starlet, Alejandro Garnacho, to Chelsea.
Ruben Amorim’s inaugural season at the helm of Old Trafford was fraught with challenges, culminating in a disheartening 15th-place finish in the Premier League and a Europa League final loss to Tottenham Hotspur. Despite these setbacks, and missing out on the lucrative Champions League revenues, club backers INEOS still afforded Amorim considerable financial support during the summer transfer dealings.
Manchester United embarked on a spree that saw them invest over £200 million on new talent such as Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, goalkeeper Senne Lammens, and youthful wing-back Diego Leon. However, Amorim had decided early on that prominent figures like Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia did not feature in his long-term plans.
As transfer deadline day approached, only Malacia remained, with Antony, Garnacho, and Sancho all exiting the club after extensive speculation. Garnacho’s £40 million transfer to Chelsea presented United with both the funds and the opportunity to seek additional forward reinforcements, especially in light of Cunha’s injury against Burnley on 30 August.
Foot Mercato reports now indicate that Manchester United made a move to sign Lyon’s Malick Fofana. Despite earlier links to Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, and Nottingham Forest, United entered the fray with a late push for the Belgian winger.
Negotiations seemed poised with the renowned Jorge Mendes serving as a go-between for United and Fofana’s father. According to reports, Fofana was “tempted” by the prospect of joining the Red Devils, yet awaited a decisive signal from his father to proceed. Alas, that signal never materialised, leaving Fofana to forge ahead with Lyon, with his future secure between the Rhône and Saône.
As eloquently put by Foot Mercato, in the frantic final days of the transfer market, Manchester United sought to swoop in for the young Belgian sensation, riding the tragic tandem of Garnacho’s departure and Cunha’s injury. However, despite Jorge Mendes’ mediation efforts, their advances were ultimately rebuffed, ensuring Fofana’s continued journey with Lyon.
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