CalcioMercato claim that Marcelo Bielsa’s old side Marseille have joined Leeds and Newcastle in the £14million chase to sign Lens star Seko Fofana. Marseille boss Jorge Sampaoli is said to be a huge fan of the midfielder.
Fofana, 26, has been in stunning form for a Lens side that is over-performing in Ligue 1 this season. In his 23 league and cup appearances, the Ivory Coast international has scored eight goals – one against PSG.
The midfielder has three in his last six league games, and the Mail claim that form has attracted interest from Leeds, Newcastle and Burnley. A fee of £14million is touted as being enough to sign the ex-Manchester City man.
However, that competition has just increased for Fofana – with Bielsa’s old side Marseille now said to be tracking the midfielder. Indeed, he is impressing even with the armband, captaining Lens in 17 of his 23 games.
Marseille manager Sampaoli recently raved about him, as per CM: “He is one of the best players in the league. He can play in any club: since I arrived in Marseille, he is the player who has impressed me every weekend.”
Marseille join Leeds and Newcastle in Fofana chase: £14m a bargain
Whether Marseille need another midfielder remains to be seen, but Leeds and Newcastle certainly do. The Whites are trying to bring in Brenden Aaronson from Salzburg, but the chances of doing so are dwindling.
Salzburg do not want to sell and at £14million, if they fail to get the USA star, Leeds have got to turn to Fofana. Similarly, Newcastle need better quality in the middle of the park and Fofana is just that.
But the chance to join a side sitting above Lens in the same league, and in European competition, will prove tempting to Fofana. Whether Marseille fork out £14million remains to be seen. An interesting late saga.
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