He can usurp Gakpo: FSG ready late bid to sign £43m winger for Liverpool

[ad_1] Liverpool received the Premier League final season, and fairly remarkably at that.

Over the previous decade, the Reds have gone from unhealthy to good to nice to unbelievable, and it is by means of the defining presumption of their brilliance underneath Jurgen Klopp that they've been anticipated to compete for the largest honours annually.

However that modified when Arne Slot arrived final summer season. This relative unknown had stepped into huge outdated boots and was anticipated to float away like flotsam. He could not exchange Klopp: did not Liverpool need Xabi Alonso, anyway?

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Liverpool manager Arne Slot celebrates after winning the Premier League" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/liverpool-manager-arne-slot-celebrates-after-winning-the-premier-league.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/liverpool-manager-arne-slot-celebrates-after-winning-the-premier-league.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot celebrates after profitable the Premier League

Doubt is among the first situations any supervisor is compelled to take care of within the Premier League, each from exterior and inside, however Slot knuckled down and thrived throughout his maiden 12 months because the Anfield head coach, not simply profitable the top-flight title however blowing the competitors out of the water.

And he did it with minimal switch funding, which is sort of a factor. Nonetheless, that is all modified this summer season, and FSG are nonetheless eager on bolstering Slot's squad earlier than the market deadline in underneath two weeks.

Why Liverpool want a left winger Ought to Liverpool full a press release deal for Isak this summer season, the spectacular Hugo Ekitike would have a tricky time beginning invariably from quantity 9.

Each strikers are males of mobility, and a few would say Ekitike's tempo and dynamism lend themselves to a task on the wing. However that's not his pure berth.

On this respect, Liverpool may do with some extra depth to even out any wrinkles in Slot's title-winning group; it is a new season, and now Liverpool are title challengers identical to the remainder.

Slot should not trip the coattails of his personal earlier success, and should as an alternative suggest to FSG a plan to finish the Merseyside frontline, even with Federico Chiesa and the Reds in concord over a task at Anfield throughout the 12 months for the Italian.

Isak's stature and observe file throughout the European sport demand his signature being a precedence, however Liverpool want a left winger all the identical, with Cody Gakpo the one senior possibility working naturally from the berth.

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Liverpool's Cody Gakpo wins the Premier League" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/liverpool-s-cody-gakpo-wins-the-premier-league.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/liverpool-s-cody-gakpo-wins-the-premier-league.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> Liverpool's Cody Gakpo wins the Premier League

Rio Ngumoha appears to be like like a improbable expertise, however overburdening him this 12 months may run counter to the hopes of him reaching his ceiling. If the celebs align, sporting director Richard Hughes should signal another.

Liverpool prepared late bid for brand new winger Based on Anfield Watch, Liverpool stay eager about signing Lyon winger Malick Fofana this summer season, having opened a line of communication with the French membership when promoting Tyler Morton to them in the beginning of August.

Lyon's Malick Fofana

In reality, it is felt that FSG's need to signal a left winger is separate from the bid for Isak, and that Liverpool are 'prepared' to strike a late deal for Fofana, having scouted him throughout the switch window.

Valued at round £43m, Fofana's signature could be attainable following the gross sales of forwards like Diaz and Darwin Nunez, and he would arrive primed to rival Gakpo for a beginning spot on the left flank.

What Malick Fofana would deliver to Liverpool Gakpo proved on Friday night that he is greater than only a goalscorer. Not that he wanted to show something following a 12 months of meteoric progress in Slot's Liverpool system.

Cody Gakpo vs Bournemouth

However the Dutchman has his detractors, with some clamouring for a brand new winger like Actual Madrid's Rodrygo, whose future is up within the air and who has been linked with a transfer to Liverpool throughout the summer season.

Nonetheless, Rodrygo would price one thing within the area of £86m, and he'd count on to start out each week. In a rising prospect like Fofana, Slot wouldn't discover that drawback at his desk, however quite, would be capable to work with an thrilling expertise who may function in flux with Gakpo.

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Belgium's Malick Fofana in action with Italy's Giovanni Di Lorenzo" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/belgium-s-malick-fofana-in-action-with-italy-s-giovanni-di-lorenzo.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/belgium-s-malick-fofana-in-action-with-italy-s-giovanni-di-lorenzo.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> Belgium's Malick Fofana in motion with Italy's Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Fofana, 20, has loved a rip-roaring begin to life in French soccer, becoming a member of Lyon from Genk when he was solely 18. Final season, he scored 11 targets and provided six extra assists throughout 41 matches in all competitions, of which solely 23 had been begins.

Hailed for his "explosive" model of play by analyst Ben Mattinson, Fofana ranks among the many prime 11% of attacking midfielders and wingers throughout Europe over the previous 12 months for targets scored and the highest 3% for progressive carries per 90, with such information offered by FBref.

A carry is taken into account progressive if the ball is moved in direction of the opponent's purpose a minimum of 10 yards from its place to begin or is carried into the penalty space.

Taking a look at this information, we will see in Fofana a gifted participant trying to mix his high-speed operating with a pure eye for purpose, and on this means, he shares a few of Gakpo's strengths however may truly find yourself outstripping the Netherlands star.

League Stats 24/25 - Fofana vs Gakpo

Stats (* per sport)

Fofana

Gakpo

Matches (begins)

29 (16)

35 (23)

Objectives

5

10

Assists

4

Photographs (heading in the right direction)*

1.1 (0.5)

1.6 (0.7)

Massive probabilities missed

4

6

Move completion

84%

Massive probabilities created

6

11

Key passes*

0.9

1.1

Dribbles*

0.8

0.9

Tackles*

1.1

0.8

Duels received*

2.9

3.1

Knowledge through Sofascore

Although Gakpo is presently extra medical and more practical, it is promising to notice that the fleet-footed Fofana has already proven indicators of prolific capturing and that he's equally crisp and efficient on the ball.

Given the necessity for depth at Liverpool this season and past, ought to Slot hope to not simply defend his Premier League title however declare additional silverware too, including a participant like Fofana for a shrewd determine may very well be a improbable transfer.

He would arrive on Merseyside with out the burden of expectation that sure different switch targets would deliver, however the Lyon winger may nonetheless add a lot to the Redmen trigger, and may even nail down a beginning berth on the left wing within the coming years.