Fabrizio Romano: Everton in ‘advanced talks' to hijack Liverpool's move for €50m forward
Advanced Talks Underway for Belgian Talent
Everton are pressing forward in their pursuit of Olympique Lyonnais winger Malick Fofana, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. Talks are now at an advanced stage, with direct contact established between the Toffees and the French club over a potential summer move. The 20-year-old Belgian international appears poised to leave Lyon this window, as the club navigates financial pressures following their reinstatement to Ligue 1 by the DNCG.
Fofana, who has already attracted interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich, is one of Lyon's more valuable assets and now sits firmly on Everton's radar. The Merseyside club are looking to bolster their wide options and see the versatile attacker as a key addition ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Relegation Reversal Spurs Lyon Fire Sale
Lyon's financial constraints have become a central theme of their summer business. The club's reprieve from relegation came with strict conditions from the DNCG, requiring them to raise funds through player sales. Fofana, whose development at OL has not gone unnoticed across Europe, now finds himself at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war.
Personal Terms and Player Preference Still Pending
While Everton have established contact with Fofana's representatives, personal terms are yet to be finalised. A fee had reportedly been agreed between Lyon and Nottingham Forest earlier this window, but Fofana declined the move. His willingness to join Everton remains uncertain.
The Toffees now face a crucial period in convincing the player of their project, especially with clubs like Liverpool and Bayern also showing interest.
Strategic Move or Risky Gamble?
At just 20 years of age, Fofana would represent both a long-term investment and a potential game-changer for David Moyes' side. Everton are in urgent need of pace and creativity in wide areas – two qualities the Belgian has shown in flashes during his time in Ligue 1 and on the European stage. Whether they can land their man may depend on how compelling a pitch they present in the coming days.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From an Everton fan's point of view, the move for Malick Fofana feels like a bold but sensible step toward modernising a squad that's cried out for dynamism. The club has lacked real flair on the flanks since Richarlison's departure, and Fofana, with his ability to beat players and break lines, could be the injection of energy needed.
However, there are understandable reservations. Fofana is young, largely unproven in top-flight football outside of France, and might need time to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League. Fans will remember past gambles on potential – names like Moise Kean and Jean-Philippe Gbamin – which didn't quite work out. That said, this feels like a different scenario. Fofana turned down Forest, which suggests he's making decisions based on football, not finances.
There's also the question of whether David Moyes can fully utilise a player like Fofana, who thrives in a more expansive system. Moyes' teams often lean on structure over flair, but with the club aiming to progress, perhaps this is a sign of stylistic evolution.
If Everton can seal the deal and give him the platform to grow, it could be one of the smarter deals of the summer. But if he opts for a club like Bayern or Liverpool, fans will understand – and perhaps rue – another opportunity missed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Colgate-Palmolive's Outlook Remains Cautious As Restructuring Plans Take Shape
Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) is brushing up its future with a bold 2030 plan, even as it takes on up to $300M in restructuring charges. The move comes as the oral care giant topped second-quarter expectations, reporting stronger-than-expected earnings and steady sales growth. Colgate-Palmolive has reported second-quarter adjusted earnings per share of 92 cents, beating the analyst consensus estimate of 89 sales of $5.11 billion (+1% year over year) outpaced the Street view of $5.03 billion. During the quarter, sales declined 1% in North America and 4.8% in Latin America, while rising 7.8% in Europe, 0.8% in Asia Pacific, and 8% in Africa/Eurasia. Net sales increased by 1.0%, while organic sales rose by 1.8%, reflecting a 0.6% negative impact from lower private label pet sales. Quarterly gross profit inched up to $3.069 billion in the quarter under review, compared with $3.066 billion a year ago. GAAP gross profit margin declined by 50 basis points to 60.1%, while Base Business gross profit margin decreased by 70 basis points to the same level. View more earnings on CL Quarterly operating profit margin contracted to 21.1% from 21.6% in the year-ago period. The company exited the quarter with cash and equivalents worth $1.22 billion. otal debt expanded to $8.76 billion from $7.95 billion as of December 31, 2024. Streamlining for Growth Colgate-Palmolive announced a new three-year productivity program aimed at driving future growth and advancing its 2030 strategy. The program focuses on aligning the organizational structure with strategic priorities, optimizing the global supply chain for greater agility and efficiency, and streamlining operations to reduce overhead costs. Cumulative pre-tax charges associated with the program are expected to total between $200 million and $300 million once all initiatives are approved and implemented, with substantially all charges anticipated to be incurred by December 31, 2028. Outlook The company continues to expect net sales to increase in the low single digits, now factoring in a flat to low-single-digit negative impact from foreign exchange. Organic sales growth is projected to be at the low end of the 2% to 4% range, reflecting the planned exit from private label pet sales over the course of 2025. On a non-GAAP (Base Business) basis, the company still anticipates gross profit margin and advertising to remain roughly flat as a percentage of net sales, with earnings per share expected to grow in the low single digits. Price Action: CL shares are trading higher by 0.42% to $84.20 premarket at last check Friday. Read Next:Photo by EDSON DE SOUZA NASCIMENTO via Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? COLGATE-PALMOLIVE (CL): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Colgate-Palmolive's Outlook Remains Cautious As Restructuring Plans Take Shape originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
2025 Hall of Fame: Eric Allen was the epitome of excellence at cornerback
Four men will be formally enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in Canton, Ohio. Yahoo Sports will take a relatively short look at each legend and how he reached football immortality. [More on Hall of Famers: Sterling Sharpe | Jared Allen | Antonio Gates] The great John Madden could be prone to hyperbole at times, but Madden also had a deep appreciation for great football and great players. The excitement in the voices of Madden and Pat Summerall on Oct. 3, 1993 at old Giants Stadium was unmistakeable. The player who pulled it out of them was Eric Allen. The New York Jets led Allen's Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter when Jets QB Boomer Esiason missed on a pass. Allen reached back to pick it off, then started spinning and juking his way through the Jets. He broke free for a 94-yard score, which gave the Eagles a 35-30 lead. That would end up being the final score. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] "That is one of the greatest plays I've ever seen in this league," Madden said on the broadcast. "Not only the interception, but that runback, and spins and everything Eric Allen did on that play." "Want to see it again? I do," Summerall said. "Just enjoy this." Allen had 14 great seasons in the NFL, and that's why he's heading to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But if it's possible to sum up a Hall of Fame career in about 20 seconds, just watch Allen weaving his way through the Jets for what would be a game-winning touchdown. Eric Allen made his name with Eagles Allen didn't have a flashy persona like other star cornerbacks, but his performance on the field was undeniable. Allen was one of the best cover corners of his era. He wasn't the biggest player, at 5-foot-10, 184 pounds, but he was quick and had tremendous anticipation. When quarterbacks threw his way, he often ended up with his hands on the ball. Allen had 54 interceptions and returned eight of them for touchdowns. He led the NFL in pick-6s in 1993 and again in 2000. Allen is best remembered for his role in a phenomenal Eagles defense. He was drafted in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft and started all 16 games as a rookie. In his second season, he was a first-team All-Pro. That was his only time as a first-team All-Pro but he probably deserved more. He was a six-time Pro Bowler. Allen made the Pro Bowl in five of his seven seasons with the Eagles. That Philly team could never get to a Super Bowl (though Allen had two interceptions, including a pick-6, in a wild-card playoff win over the Saints at the end of the 1992 season) but fantastic defenses that included Reggie White, Jerome Brown, Clyde Simmons and Seth Joyner among others are remembered fondly. Allen moved on from the Eagles for the 1995 season, at age 30, but he was far from finished. Allen was a 'complete cornerback' Allen spent three more seasons with the Saints, then finished his career with four more seasons on the Raiders. He was a starter from the beginning of his career to the end, starting 214 of 217 games he played. He missed just seven games in 14 seasons and was still a starter at age 36. Allen was overshadowed a bit in his era by cornerbacks Deion Sanders and Rod Woodson, but he was among the best who have ever played the position. "I feel like I was a complete cornerback," Allen said, via the Eagles' site. "I traveled with the best of the best receivers in the game — left side, right side, everything. I think there are 13 or 14 receivers I played against who are in the Hall of Fame." It took a while for Allen to get the call to the Hall of Fame. His final season was 2001. That's a long time to wait for a player who was considered one of the best of his era at his position.
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Chancellor Rachel Reeves dodges wealth tax calls from predecessor
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has dodged calls from her predecessor Anneliese Dodds for a wealth tax to be considered ahead of this autumn's budget. When Sir Keir Starmer became Labour leader in 2020, Ms Dodds was his first pick for shadow chancellor. However, she did not last long and was replaced by Ms Reeves, who then got the government job after last year's election win. Speaking to the Sky News political editor Beth Rigby on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Ms Dodds said she had examined wealth taxes when she was briefly in the shadow chancellor job and how one could be implemented. She said: "I would hope the Treasury is considering that kind of evidence, as well as other changes that have been put forward." Asked today if about Ms Dodds' intervention, Ms Reeves said: "Decisions around tax are decisions that are made at a budget and we'll make those decisions in the appropriate way, but the number-one priority of this government is to grow the economy. "And that means bringing more investment into Britain, creating more good jobs paying decent wages here in Britain. Listen here to hear Ms Dodds' full comments:"We've got to get the balance right on taxation because we want that investment, we want those jobs to come here. "That's why we're reforming the planning system, secured three trade deals in the first year of this Labour government, cutting back on unnecessary regulation, and reforming our pension system to unlock money for businesses to be able to invest here in the UK." Read more:What is a wealth tax? The government's financial position is stretched ahead of the next budget, due at the end of autumn. Ms Reeves has committed herself to not changing her fiscal rules, leaving little wiggle room to avoid tax rises or spending cuts. This is due to the government's inability to save money through policies like welfare reform, which were gutted due to a rebellion of backbench Labour MPs. Last week, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds branded the suggestion of a wealth tax "daft" - but he has less influence over the writing of the budget than the chancellor. Politics live: Meanwhile, reports from the Daily Telegraph suggested that Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner backed increasing taxes, including reinstating the pensions lifetime allowance and a higher corporation tax level for banks. Ms Dodds also wants to see those considered.
