RC Lens coach Franck Haise is not concerned about reports linking star midfielder Seko Fofana with Premier League trio Leeds United, Newcastle and Burnley, speaking to Jeunes Footeaux.
Last week, the former Fulham loanee was named 2021’s Ligue 1 Player of the Year by French football website Get France Football News.
Given that Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Teji Savanier, Dimitri Payet, Lucas Paqueta and co are also strutting their stuff on the other side of the Channel, Fofana was understandably surprised to hear that he, rather than one of PSG’s galaxy of Galacticos, was named the best player in the country.
Though anyone who has watched Fofana in action over the last 12 months or so will tell you that the Paris-born powerhouse deserves his moment in the spotlight.
During December’s 1-1 draw between Lens and PSG, Fofana ran the game, dominating proceedings from the centre of the park. The 26-year-old even opened the scoring with a long-range thunderbolt.
According to FootMercato, Fofana’s outstanding performances have earned him a place on the respective radars of Leeds United and Newcastle.
Burnley, meanwhile, have held talks regarding a deal that would see the one-time Manchester City youngster move to Turf Moor to the tune of £14 million (Mail).
Is Seko Fofana returning to the Premier League?
“It doesn’t bother me at all,” Haise said when asked about Fofana’s uncertain future at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. “Because it’s one of the things that happens every winter.
“For Seko, I don’t have the feeling that it is concerns him a lot. He knows what it is, we all know it. There isn’t much at the moment (to suggest he’s leaving).”
Burnley have £25 million burning a hole in their back pocket following Chris Wood’s shock move to relegation-rivals Newcastle United.
Wood is Eddie Howe’s second signing of the window, following in the footsteps of England international Kieran Trippier.
With a top-quality right-back and a new number nine in the bag, Newcastle have now turned their attention to a box-to-box midfielder and a commanding central defender.
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