Youssouf Fofana has refused to rule out leaving Monaco this summer, despite reports of interest from Chelsea and Liverpool.
Since joining the club in January 2020, the 24-year-old deep-lying midfielder has established himself as an important member of Philippe Clement’s squad, making 137 appearances in all competitions.
Fofana’s club success has earned him nine international caps for France, and he was a member of the squad that advanced to the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.
Monaco have sold a number of quality players in recent years, most recently Aurelien Tchouameni and Benoit Badiashile to Real Madrid and Chelsea, respectively, last summer, and Fofana is the latest name to be linked with a summer transfer.
According to a recent report, Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool are ready to compete for the midfielder’s contract ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Fofana’s contract at the Stade Louis-II has little over a year left on it, but Monaco has the option to extend it by another year.
Monaco’s No.19 admits he wants to play at the highest level, but is unsure whether a summer transfer away from the Ligue 1 club will happen.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Fofana said:
“Monaco is a great club in France and Europe. A lot of big clubs come here to find players and we are all aware of this.”
“If it is the right opportunity or moment [to leave], I can’t say. I don’t know but we are doing things the right way here at the moment.”
“I have already played with top players but if one day I can play with more big names then it will be a pleasure and mean I have performed well.”
Chelsea are anticipated to return to the market this summer, despite spending more than £600 million in the last two transfer windows, but they are set to sell numerous first-team and fringe players to balance the books.
Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as well as N’Golo Kante, who is out of contract at the end of the season, have all been linked with permanent moves away from Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is expected to prioritise the signing of at least two midfielders after the club confirmed on Wednesday that James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita will all leave when their contracts expire next month.
Fofana is one of several midfield alternatives on Liverpool’s radar, including Alexis MacAllister of Brighton & Hove Albion, Manuel Ugarte of Sporting Lisbon, and Youri Tielemans of Leicester City.
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