Tottenham Hotspur pushed for Malick Fofana in the final hours of the summer transfer window
Tottenham Hotspur had an eventful deadline day of the recently concluded summer transfer window, where the North Londoners secured the signature of Randal Kolo Muani on a loan deal from PSG, and while it does look like a strong finish to what was an eventful transfer window in itself for Tottenham, it could have been a more celebrated conclusion.
If we look behind the scenes at Hotspur Way, Daniel Levy and Thomas Frank had been pushing for more after signing the former Frankfurt striker at N17.
Tottenham pushed for Malick Fofana in the final hours of the transfer window
According to reports per GMS, the North Londoners reignited their interest in bringing Lyon winger Malick Fofana to Hotspur Way in the final hours of the window, and they were knocked back by the French club, who were not in any position to bring in a replacement so late, so they refused to sanction any deal for him.
Tottenham were said to be looking at Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche as an option in the summer window, but they circled back to Fofana late in the day. And an enquiry was lodged on deadline day to sign him, which shows how Frank wanted to add another creative wide option at Hotspur Way. But the thing is. That bid didn’t have any material conclusion, though you’d think that it won’t be the last time his name appears in Tottenham circles.
The next Eden Hazard?
While Malick Fofana is not a household name yet, the 21-year-old Lyon winger saw himself rapidly emerging as one of French football’s most dangerous young wide players, and that has earned him comparisons to Eden Hazard. For a Lilywhites side that are looking to rebuild under Thomas Frank, signing him could have been a smart long-term investment given the fact that he is raw but relentless in his approach and quite ready to explode.
And while the move collapsed late this summer, you’d expect Tottenham to revisit signing Fofana in 2026, but that may also go down to other targets like Savinho, for whom Tottenham are expected to return when the winter transfer window comes around. But if Fofana continues to shine for the French giants, don’t be surprised if Levy and Frank test their resolve to bring him to Hotspur Way again sooner rather than later.