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Fonseca defends Fofana as Roma pursue Lyon winger
·25 August 2026·63d ago

Fonseca defends Fofana as Roma pursue Lyon winger

Source: GialloRossi.net

Paulo Fonseca, manager of Olympique Lyonnais, has publicly backed Malick Fofana to stay at the club despite Roma's interest in signing the Belgian winger to strengthen their attack. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Lyon's Champions League playoff return against Fenerbahçe, Fonseca addressed Fofana's fitness after recent injury problems and his prospects at the club.

"Now he is well, physically and mentally," Fonseca said of the 2005-born winger. "I think he is a player who will continue with us. He is very motivated to continue with us." The Lyon boss made clear the club has already fielded offers for Fofana and rejected them. "We are not worried about selling Malick. We have offers. If other clubs want him, they will have to pay well. The club refused offers because it believes in this player," Fonseca stated, raising the financial bar around the winger precisely as Roma continues to evaluate his profile to complete their attacking options for the 2026–27 season.

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Story Coverage3 sources on this story

AS Roma are pursuing Lyon winger Fofana as head coach Gasperini moves to strengthen the squad. The Belgian is keen to play Champions League football, and the move hinges on Lyon's urgent need to raise approximately €100 million within the next year due to financial pressure. Forza Roma reports that a structural arrangement is being discussed under which Roma would register Fofana in the following financial year while Lyon book the fee in the current one, allowing both clubs to complete the deal.

However, the outlets differ on the fee. Retesport, citing Fabrizio Romano, reports that Lyon has communicated a firm asking price of €37.5 million plus €2.5 million in bonuses, totalling €40 million. Roma has not yet responded concretely to Lyon's demand as of the time of reporting. Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca stated in a press conference that the club has already rejected offers for the player and sees him focused on remaining with the team.

The transfer remains connected to Roma's broader squad plans. Forza Roma notes that the move is linked to efforts to offload academy product Jan Ziółkowski, whose valuations from interested parties have fallen short of Roma's asking price. Radio commentators are united on the strategic importance of Fofana, with sources suggesting that Gasperini remains hopeful the Friedkin Group will back him in the market to complete the attacking department.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

“Arriva dalla Francia un aggiornamento importante sul futuro di Malick Fofana, obiettivo della Roma per rinforzare l’attacco. A parlare questa volta è direttamente Paulo Fonseca, allenatore dell’Olympique Lione, intervenuto nella conferenza stampa alla vigilia del ritorno del playoff di Champions…”

Read the full article in Italian at GialloRossi.net.

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