Lyon have reportedly set their sights on RC Lens star and Leeds United target Seko Fofana in the event Lucas Paqueta leaves in the summer, with Newcastle United keen on the Brazilian.
According to Le Progres via GFFN, the Ligue 1 side have honed in on the 26-year-old midfielder as a potential replacement for Paqueta, who has been one of the best players in France in recent months and has even been labelled as ‘the new Kaka’ as per Football Transfers.
Fofana himself has also been incredible in France over the past year, with the Ivorian international guiding Lens to a top-half finish in their first campaign back in Ligue 1 and this season looking set to finish in a European spot.
Indeed, the midfielder’s form has caught the eye of Leeds, with the Daily Mail reporting in January that Fofana is on the Yorkshire club’s radar along with Newcastle and Burnley, however, the former could be a cause for why Marcelo Bielsa’s side fail to land the Ligue 1 star.
As reported by Foot Mercato, the Toon are huge fans of Lyon’s Paqueta, with Newcastle even making an offer for the Brazilian in the January transfer window that was turned down by the player.
Should Newcastle sign Paqueta in the summer, it could open the door for Lyon to beat Leeds to Fofana, which the Daily Mail note could be available for just £14m.
Lyon big winners from Fofana-Paqueta transfer conundrum
Whilst Newcastle and Leeds squabble over who signs who and who ends up where, the big winners from this pending transfer saga is no doubt Lyon, who will have a quality midfielder at the start of next season regardless of what happens.
Should Paqueta stay, then Lyon retain one of the best midfielders in France, yet if the Brazilian leaves and Fofana is signed as his replacement, the French club own an incredible player who is ready for the next step in his interesting career.
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