REVEALED: Man Utd’s hijack attempt on Liverpool’s Mo Salah replacement

Robin Bairner

Updated: 11 Sept 2025 07:11 BST
3 min read

Manchester United were busy strengthening their attacking sector throughout the summer transfer window but missed out on the possibility of signing a player earmarked by Liverpool as Mohamed Salah’s heir at Anfield.

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Lyon winger Malick Fofana was a name linked to a number of clubs during the summer transfer window, but Man Utd appear to have come as close as anyone to landing the 20-year-old in last-minute dash to find a replacement for the injured Matheus Cunha.

United’s attack was transformed this summer thanks to the arrivals of the Brazilian, as well as Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho all departed.

Current ETV

Malick Fofana

F, M (L)

Lyon

Malick Fofana

F, M (L)

Lyon

ETV Range

€34.5M - €42.2M

When Cunha was struck down with injury against Burnley on 30 August, the Red Devils sought to increase the number of options open to Ruben Amorim once again – and according to FootMercato, that meant making a play on Lyon’s Fofana.

The Belgium international had been tracked by Bayern Munich, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea in the summer after an exciting conclusion to the season with Lyon, yet no deal was done.

Super-agent Jorge Mendes tried to take advantage of this situation by brokering a move to Old Trafford in the closing hours of the transfer market. United were given encouragement by the player but waited for a signal from his father to make a bid. This never arrived and no serious progress was made towards signing Fofana, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €38.3 million.

Malick Fofana: One to watch

Fofana will be one of the names to watch in the transfer market in the coming year, with Liverpool still eyeing the player as the long-term replacement for Mo Salah.

Indeed, reports earlier this week indicated that the Reds are eager to get a deal over the line for the former Gent player as soon as possible.

Competition is likely to be intense for the exciting winger, who already has one Ligue 1 goal to his credit this term, with Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelsea among others no doubt monitoring his progress closely.

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