(credit: imago)

'Tottenham to accelerate Fofana transfer in hours' after developments in France

Kyrenia is a lifelong Tottenham fan who has been writing for Tottenham News since she joined Breaking Media in 2025. She will graduate with a Master's in Sports Journalism from St Mary's University, Twickenham in 2025. She spent several months working for the Non-League Paper and has written for the Sports Gazette. Her earliest memory of the Lilywhites is sitting alone in her dad's room in front of the telly crying into her bowl of popcorn as she watched as her team were thrashed...yet again. She is happy to report that fonder memories have since blossomed.

Published on:

08 Jul 2025, 1:00 pm

Daniel Levy wants Malick Fofana to sign at Tottenham this summer, and he may get his wish after recent developments in France.

Lyon signed Fofana from KAA Gent in January 2024 and the forward has since become an integral member of their team.

While Fofana contributed to 17 goals last season to help fire Lyon towards European football, the French club has fallen on uncertain times.

And with Tottenham lurking in the background, ready to pounce, Lyon may have no choice but to sell.

Thomas Frank will welcome new signings at Tottenham (Credit: Imago)

Lyon to receive relegation verdict in hours

As previously reported by ESPN (20 June), Fofana is on Tottenham’s radar after an impressive season in France, and Spurs may have been given all the ammunition they need to push forward with his transfer.

Indeed, Lyon have been provisionally demoted to Ligue 2 by the DNGC because of the dire state of their finances. However, the French club confirmed that they would appeal the decision, and it now seems that the outcome of that appeal will arrive imminently.

Player	Season	Appearances	Goals	Assists
Malick Fofana	2024/25	41	11	6

Fofana for Lyon in all competitions (2024/25)

According to Julien Froment via X on Tuesday (8 July), Lyon's appeal will be heard in the morning on 9 July, and a decision is expected from the FFF's higher appeal commission by the end of the day.

If the decision to relegate them is upheld, then Lyon could be forced to sell several of their players. This would enable Tottenham to accelerate their pursuit of Fofana, who would no doubt be tempted to move to a UEFA Champions League side.

L'OL sera auditionné en fin de matinée, le 9 juillet, rendue attendu par la commission supérieure d'appel de la FFF en fin de journée. #OL @franceinfo
— Julien Froment (@JulienFroment) July 8, 2025

Spurs' interest in Fofana could mean the end for Son Heung-min

After a decade in North London, it could be the end of the road for Son Heung-min.

As well as Fofana, Tottenham have been linked to Xavi Simons, who can play on the left wing, and are pushing for Mohammed Kudus, who is also comfortable in that position.

With Spurs hoping to extend Mikey Moore's contract and the possible addition of Fofana, Son could already have one foot out of the door.

It has been widely reported that the South Korean is open to leaving the club this summer, which has piqued the interest of several clubs. But the influx of fresh blood could suggest that Tottenham are already planning a future without their skipper.

Therefore, the upcoming pre-season fixture against Newcastle (3 August) may be the final time supporters see Son in a Spurs shirt.

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Malick Fofana