Lyon insist on keeping Fofana, set to sign Endrick on loan

Olympique Lyonnais have maintained a strong stance on youngster Malick Fofana, who has been on Bayern Munich’s shortlist of transfer targets for next summer as the club eye a loan deal for Real Madrid teenage striker Endrick.

The 20-year-old forward remains a target for the Bundesliga champions, who are looking to reinforce their squad.

Fofana has been out of action since the end of October due to a serious ankle injury. He is expected to return to action around mid/late January.

The Belgian international has been a key member of the Lyon squad. He is also the only high-value asset that they managed to retain amid their off-season firesale. 

According to a report from Sky Sports Germany, further approaches are expected for the young ahead of next summer’s transfer window.

But Lyon seems determined to resist them, as the CEO, Michael Gerlinger, told Ligue 1 Plus last month that the sale of Fofana has never been on the table for January.

Despite this comment from the club hierarchy, that may not stop some of Europe’s elite from attempting to pull off a deal.

Sky Sports Germany understands that Bayern Munich were interested in the summer, but Said El Mala is the priority option for the Bavarian club at left wing, while Fofana remains a very concrete option.

Meanwhile, Lyon could finalise a loan move for Endrick in December ahead of the winter transfer.

The Brazilian international, who has found first-team football hard to come by at the Bernabeu, has been targeted by Les Gones as they seek to improve their attacking options for the second half of the Ligue 1 season. 

According to reports, negotiations between the Spanish capital club and OL opened in November, and all parties are hoping for the deal to be completed as soon as possible, so that he can arrive at the Groupama Stadium early in the January transfer window. 

Some sources said Endrick views the opportunity to move to Lyon as a good step for his development and to prove to Carlo Ancelotti that he should be picked to represent his nation at the World Cup.