Super Agent Mendes to Push Move for Lyon’s Forward to Man Utd in January
Manchester United’s Last-Ditch Effort for Lyon’s Malick Fofana Falls Short, but a January Move Remains a Possibility
In the frantic final days of the summer transfer window, Manchester United reportedly made a last-minute push to secure the services of Lyon’s highly-rated winger Malick Fofana, but the move ultimately collapsed.
According to reports from French outlet Foot Mercato, with renowned super-agent Jorge Mendes acting as an intermediary, United’s hierarchy initiated contact with the player’s representatives in the hope of finalizing a deal.
Mendes, who has a strong working relationship with the Old Trafford club, was said to be a key figure in the negotiations, playing the “matchmaker” between United and the player’s father, who acts as his agent.
The report suggests that Manchester United was prepared to move forward with an official bid for the 20-year-old Belgian international but was waiting for a final “green light” from Fofana’s father. That signal, however, never came, and the deal fell through as the transfer window closed.
Fofana, who has also been linked with other top European clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool, ultimately remained at Lyon, where he is a key part of the first-team. The Belgian winger has expressed his desire to prioritize consistent playing time at this stage of his career, a factor that may have influenced the decision to stay in Ligue 1.
The failed pursuit of Fofana adds to a summer of mixed results in the transfer market for Manchester United, who also saw key players like Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford depart. While the club successfully brought in a number of new faces, the late interest in Fofana highlights a desire to further strengthen their attacking options.
The report adds that despite the collapsed deal, the groundwork laid by Jorge Mendes could yet facilitate a move in the January transfer window, keeping the possibility of a future transfer alive.
