As the summer transfer window heats up, the saga surrounding Youssouf Fofana is unfolding like a gripping telenovela. The French midfielder has made it clear he wants to leave Monaco, with AC Milan his preferred destination. However, the transfer is still hanging in the balance, awaiting Monaco’s go-ahead.
Fofana’s contract with the Ligue 1 club expires on June 30, 2025, and Monaco’s director general, Thiago Scuro, has confirmed that they are open to letting him go, but only for the right price. The latest offer from Milan stands at around €20 million, but Monaco is seeking more. They are reportedly looking for a bid that exceeds the fee Juventus paid for Khephren Thuram, which raises the stakes in this negotiation.
Milan’s managing director, Giorgio Furlani, supported by sporting director Geoffrey Moncada and RedBird’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is contemplating enhancing their offer with performance-related bonuses. This could potentially increase Fofana’s value in comparison to Thuram. However, the Italian side has no intention of meeting the €25 million and additional bonuses Monaco initially requested, nor are they likely to reach the €35 million figure that West Ham had considered before the player made his intentions clear.
With the end of the transfer window approaching, Monaco’s position may soften to avoid losing Fofana without receiving any compensation. The hope for both Milan and Fofana is that the next offer will meet Monaco’s expectations. The situation has been tense, as Fofana has not participated in several preseason matches, including the Gamper Trophy, nor will he be included in Monaco’s opening match of the season against Saint-Etienne. He continues to train alone, signaling his clear desire to exit Monaco—though relations remain amicable.
Thiago Scuro is expected to address this situation again at the unveiling of new signings Lamine Camara and Christian Mawissa. Meanwhile, Milan is bolstered by a pre-agreement with Fofana on a salary of approximately €3 million net per season. If Monaco’s reluctance continues, this deal will remain valid for the next season when Fofana could leave as a free agent.
Milan’s head coach, Paulo Fonseca, expressed his eagerness to bring Fofana on board soon during a post-match interview, highlighting the midfielder as the perfect addition to bolster the team’s midfield. While Fofana’s immediate arrival is uncertain, the Milan hierarchy remains optimistic about securing a deal despite reports of interest from Manchester United, a team that will not participate in the Champions League next season—a key consideration for Fofana.
With Milan unwilling to stretch their financial limits, and Monaco needing to find a resolution to prevent a disruptive scenario with a disgruntled player, both sides are playing a strategic game. The sale of Brescianini to Atalanta and the potential transfer of Ballo-Touré to Saint-Etienne could provide Milan with extra funds, but whether this will be enough to satisfy Monaco remains to be seen. The clock is ticking, and the transfer window is set for a dramatic conclusion.
