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

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.

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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."

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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.