Youssouf Fofana leaves AC Milan to join Lyon on loan with option to buy

Youssouf Fofana is leaving AC Milan to join Olympique Lyonnais on loan with an option to buy before the transfer window closes. According to Sky Italia, an agreement is nearly finalised between the Lombard club and the Gones for the French international midfielder, valued between €18 and €20 million.

The 27-year-old is no longer part of Milan’s plans this season despite a solid 2024-2025 campaign: 36 matches across all competitions, two goals and three assists. Courted by LOSC, Galatasaray, Real Betis, Villarreal and Nottingham Forest, Fofana ultimately opted for the Lyon project.

His choice was facilitated by the presence of Paulo Fonseca on the Lyon bench. The Portuguese coach managed him for six months at AC Milan during the 2024-2025 season and thus recovers a player he knows perfectly, capable of integrating without delay into his playing principles. Fonseca, who wanted to see the transfer market close quickly to stabilise his squad, thus obtains an immediately operational reinforcement.

Having previously played for Strasbourg and Monaco before his move to Italy, Fofana is a seasoned Ligue 1 operator. With 25 caps for the French national team, he brings to Lyon’s midfield the experience and physical presence that had been lacking since the club’s elimination in the Ligue des Champions playoff against Fenerbahçe.

This signing comes in a financially constrained context for Lyon. The Lyon board has set itself the objective of generating nearly €50 million through several departures, including that of Malick Fofana. The loan of Youssouf Fofana allows the club to strengthen its squad without immediately committing a transfer fee.