Exclusive: Tottenham made ‘flurry of calls’ to sign ‘explosive’ £52m Belgian forward after Kolo Muani
The summer transfer window is a whirlwind of strategy, negotiation, and sometimes, last-minute gambles. For Tottenham Hotspur, the final day was a perfect example of this high-stakes environment.
After successfully securing the loan signing of Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani to add firepower up front, manager Thomas Frank and the club’s recruitment team were not ready to stop there.
Their focus quickly shifted to addressing another key area: adding more creativity and dynamism to the left wing.
According to exclusive information, Tottenham made a frantic, eleventh-hour attempt to sign Lyon’s exciting young winger, Malick Fofana. The club made a genuine flurry of calls to the French outfit, keen to understand what it would take to bring the 20-year-old Belgian international to North London.
This push highlighted just how serious they were about adding a specific profile of player to the squad, even after a busy window that had already seen the big-money arrivals of Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons.
However, this particular move was always going to be a long shot. Lyon, who are well aware of the talent they have on their hands, were in a very strong negotiating position.
Fofana still has three years remaining on his contract, and with the clock ticking down to the 7 pm deadline, they simply had no time to find a suitable replacement for a player they consider vital to their own project.
Their firm stance meant that Tottenham’s late approach was instantly turned down, leaving Spurs frustrated but understanding of the situation.
The interest in Fofana was far from random. The club’s scouts and analysts had clearly done their homework. He is precisely the kind of “explosive” young talent that fits the modern game, a direct winger with a keen eye for goal, having found the net 11 times for Lyon during the 2024/25 campaign.
Tottenham were confident that his skill set would provide a crucial edge on the left flank, especially with the added demands of a Champions League campaign on the horizon.
While the move did not materialize this time, this is unlikely to be the end of the story. The club has reportedly refused to rule out the possibility of returning to the negotiating table for Fofana in the future.
The upcoming winter transfer window in 2026, or even next summer, could see Tottenham test Lyon’s resolve with a formal bid. They will be keeping a very close eye on his development over the coming months, monitoring his performances to see if he can continue to prove his worth in Ligue 1.
This persistent pursuit of a specific target, even after the window has closed, shows a clear and defined recruitment strategy. Tottenham are not just collecting players; they are identifying specific profiles that fit Thomas Frank’s tactical vision.
The fact that they were also in face-to-face discussions for a proven defender like Nathan Ake on deadline day further reinforces this point—they are looking for quality and a specific skillset, not just names.
For now, Malick Fofana remains a Lyon player, but he has certainly been placed on Tottenham’s radar as a serious target for the future. For Spurs fans, it’s a sign that the club’s ambition extends beyond just the current window, with a clear plan being built for sustained success.