Youssouf Fofana is keen on joining AC Milan. This summer could see a deal go through if Milan and AS Monaco can agree on a transfer fee, but if not, Fofana may be free to choose his future club next summer when his contract expires. The message from the French midfielder, relayed by his representatives, is clear: after turning down a proposal from West Ham, he is ready to decline any other offers that may come his way, including one from Manchester United, who are interested in Uruguayan player Ugarte but have also made inquiries about Fofana.
Currently, Fofana envisions his future in the iconic Rossoneri jersey and is waiting to see when this might happen—either during this transfer window or in January, or potentially next summer. While unexpected twists can always occur in football, Milan remains hopeful of a positive outcome and continues to work hard to finalize Fofana’s transfer, hoping for a resolution soon. A possible key moment could come as early as tomorrow.
The midfielder, who hails from Paris, returned from holiday on August 1 after the European Championship and has been training separately from his teammates. This suggests that his intentions are serious. Tomorrow morning, Monaco will announce the squad for their upcoming match against Barcelona in the Gamper Trophy. If Fofana is absent—perhaps due to a request not to be included—it would be advantageous for Milan, who are monitoring the situation closely. Such a gesture from the player would bolster Milan’s negotiation efforts, as Ibrahimovic, Furlani, and Moncada are already confident about Fofana’s choice, having reportedly agreed on a four-year contract with him. The challenge remains with Monaco, who do not want to sell their player at a bargain price, especially since they want to avoid underpricing him compared to other recent transfers.
Milan has already made an offer close to €20 million, a substantial bid for a midfielder whose contract runs until 2025. Their ownership under RedBird is reluctant to increase the offer significantly, especially considering Monaco’s unrealistic valuation of €35 million, which does not reflect Fofana’s worth but rather his contractual situation. If Fofana takes a stand, it could reinforce Milan’s claim that their €20 million offer is a good deal that will not be improved.
For now, it seems to be a standoff, but tomorrow could be crucial, especially as Monaco prepares to unveil new signing Lamine Camara. During that press conference, Monaco’s director Thiago Scuro is expected to hear questions about Fofana’s future. He has hinted that the club may keep the midfielder until next summer, even though Fofana doesn’t have intentions to renew his contract. But could a message from him ahead of the Gamper change the dynamics?
Fofana’s decision to choose Milan is backed by encouragement from compatriots Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez. He knows that by joining Milan, he will compete in the Champions League and vie for the Serie A title. Additionally, he has a strong desire to work with coach Fonseca, who he respects and who has performed well in Ligue 1. The prospect of playing alongside talents like Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic, and living in Milan—recommended by other fellow French players—adds to the appeal of this move.
If Monaco holds firm and does not release Fofana by August 30, Milan may have to explore alternative options. With Adli attracting interest from Qatar and additional opportunities in Europe, and Bennacer looking to move to Saudi Arabia, the situation is precarious. Bennacer is a valued professional, and while he won’t push for a move, he will leave only if a club from the Saudi Pro League makes a considerable offer (his release clause stands at €50 million).
Currently, the Saudi clubs have been quiet in the market, likely waiting for the right moment to spend. If Bennacer departs, Milan would need to find a midfielder who possesses the physicality and strength that Fofana offers. They have already begun inquiries about Manu Koné from Borussia Mönchengladbach and Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis. Despite being born in the U.S., Cardoso has an Italian passport and could still make a move to a big club, while Koné would also be keen on a switch to Milan. Both players are valued around €20 million, the same as the amount earmarked for Fofana. Milan hopes to negotiate a deal with Monaco, but if not, they could explore the option of signing Fofana for free in 2025.
