AC Milan set €30m price tag for midfielder Youssuf Fofana
AC Milan have placed a €30 million valuation on midfielder Youssuf Fofana, with the French international expected to be among the players sacrificed this summer as the club seeks to balance its books. According to reports from Italy, the Rossoneri are open to offers for the 25-year-old, who only arrived from Monaco last summer. The club's failure to mount a serious Serie A title challenge and its focus on securing Champions League football has accelerated planning for the upcoming transfer window.
Fofana’s future appears increasingly likely to lie away from San Siro, with manager Massimiliano Allegri reportedly unconvinced by the player’s fit in his system. Allegri is said to prefer a more experienced profile for his midfield, with Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka identified as a potential target, a situation that further paves the way for Fofana’s departure. The midfielder had previously rejected moves to Turkish clubs Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in January, indicating a preference for a different career path.
Interest in Fofana remains strong, particularly from the Premier League, where West Ham United have tracked the player for the past two years. However, the most concrete proposals are now expected to emerge from France’s Ligue 1. Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca, who was instrumental in bringing Fofana to Milan last year during his tenure as the club’s head coach, is a known admirer. Should Lyon secure qualification for the 2026/27 Champions League, they are considered a serious contender to launch a bid.
Marseille are also monitoring the situation closely, viewing Fofana as a potential target to reinforce their own midfield. Any move from Marseille, however, is contingent on the club finalizing its sporting director structure, with current director Mehdi Benatia’s future in doubt. The €30 million price tag set by Milan establishes a clear benchmark for any negotiations, with the Italian club seeking a pure profit on a player whose contract runs until 2029.
For Milan, a sale would represent a significant capital gain to reinvest in the squad, aligning with a broader strategy of player trading. For Fofana, a return to France could offer a chance to rediscover the form that made him a standout at Monaco, after a season in Italy where he failed to become an undisputed starter. The coming weeks will determine which suitor is prepared to meet Milan's asking price for the defensive midfielder.
