But! Football Club claim Aston Villa and Leicester have joined Tottenham and Newcastle in the race to sign Lens midfielder Seko Fofana. The Ligue 1 star is shining in French football, scoring nine goals in 36 games this term.
Fofana, 26, has been a driving force behind a stunning push for European football – in a side that would have been happy, at the start of the season, to avoid relegation. He has captained Lens in 27 of his 33 league appearances.
He has started every single one of Lens’ league games, and broken into the Ivory Coast set up – scoring once in four caps. Little surprise, then, that the ex-Manchester City midfielder is attracting interest from English sides.
Valued at £14million (Mail), the midfielder is a potential bargain. Goals from deep is a valuable commodity these days, and But! Football Club claim Villa and Leicester have joined Newcastle and Spurs in the race to get him.
Tottenham, Leicester, Newcastle or Villa – which is best for Fofana?
The Manchester Evening News likened him to Patrick Vieira during his Manchester City spell. So, which club needs a Vieira-like midfielder that can score goals? Villa are desperate for a central midfielder.
Douglas Luiz could go, Marvelous Nakamba has been injured but is hardly the long-term answer. They need a better partner for John McGinn. Leicester might need to replace Youri Tielemans. Newcastle have cash.
The Toon could do with another body in midfield – although he may struggle to get in over Joe Willock and Bruno Guimaraes. At Spurs, he would also struggle. Villa is his best bet, and then Leicester, if Tielemans goes.

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