MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 17:51:31| >> :60:107:107:

Youssouf Fofana refuses to rule out Monaco exit amid Chelsea, Liverpool links

Fofana refuses to rule out Monaco exit amid Chelsea, Liverpool links
© Reuters
Youssouf Fofana refuses to rule out the prospect of leaving Monaco this summer amid reported interest from Chelsea and Liverpool.

Youssouf Fofana has refused to rule out the prospect of leaving Monaco this summer amid reported interest from Chelsea and Liverpool.

The 24-year-old deep-lying midfielder has established himself as a prominent part of Philippe Clement's side since joining the club in January 2020, making 137 appearances across all competitions.

Fofana's form at club level has been rewarded with nine international caps for France, and the former Strasbourg youngster was a member of the squad that reached the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.

Monaco have sold a number of star players in recent years, including Aurelien Tchouameni and Benoit Badiashile to Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively, and Fofana is one of the latest names to have been linked with a possible summer exit.

A recent report claims that Premier League duo Chelsea and Liverpool are prepared to battle it out for the midfielder's signature ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Monaco's Youssouf Fofana in action with Marseille's Leonardo Balerdi on November 13, 2022© Reuters

Fofana has just over a year remaining on his contract at the Stade Louis-II, although Monaco do possess the option to extend it by a further 12 months.

Monaco's No.19 has admitted that he has ambitions to play at the highest level, but he is unsure whether a summer transfer away from the Ligue 1 club will materialise.

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."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacts on May 6, 2023© Reuters

Despite spending in excess of £600m over the last two transfer windows, Chelsea are expected to delve back into the market this summer, although they are expected to sell several first-team and fringe players to balance the books.

Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have all been linked with permanent departures from Stamford Bridge, as has N'Golo Kante who is out of contract at the end of the season.

As for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp is expected to prioritise the recruitment of a least a couple of midfielders after the Reds announced on Wednesday that James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita will all leave the club when their contracts expire next month.

Fofana is believed to be one of a number of midfield options on Liverpool's radar along with the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister, Sporting Lisbon's Manuel Ugarte and Leicester City's Youri Tielemans.

ID:514200:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6097:

Click here for more stories about Youssouf Fofana

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates scoring their fourth goal on January 7, 2023
Read Next:
Liverpool 'confident of sealing £70m Mac Allister deal'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!