Liverpool midfield shortlist increases to include dynamic Ligue 1 captain who could have extra motivation against key rival

Samuel Bannister 07 Nov 2022 5:57 PM

Liverpool are now looking at Seko Fofana as a potential reinforcement for their midfield, according to one French reporter.

Midfield is the main area Liverpool will be looking to strengthen in 2023. They could lose James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur Melo at the end of the season.

The task will be to replace them with more quality and players who can offer consistency. Several of their current options in the role, including Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara, have been underwhelming for various reasons.

Liverpool are now considering their options ahead of the January transfer window. They have enjoyed some good results and some bad ones this season, so might need an extra boost of quality midway through.

According to French journalist Ignazio Genuardi, Liverpool have now cast their eyes on Lens star Seko Fofana.

He is under contract with the Ligue 1 side until 2025, so might not be the cheapest option on the market. That said, he might be more cost-effective than someone like Jude Bellingham, who has also been linked with Liverpool but would cost a gigantic fee.

Fofana has earned a good reputation since joining Lens from Serie A side Udinese in 2020. He has played in 85 matches for his current club, scoring 14 goals and adding eight assists along the way.

Now serving as Lens’ captain, there could yet be a chance for Fofana to return to English football. He previously came through the ranks at Manchester City and spent time on loan with Fulham.

Seko Fofana represents right kind of profile for Liverpool

Would he have a point to prove to Premier League observers about what he can achieve? With Liverpool usually rivalling Manchester City in recent years, a potential move to Merseyside might have an extra edge for Fofana.

The midfielder’s own stance, however, has not yet been revealed by Genuardi or anyone else.

It remains to be seen how closely Liverpool look at Fofana between now and January. Whether he would be available for a mid-season transfer is another matter in itself, as well.

Fofana is someone worth keeping an eye on, though, from Liverpool’s perspective. He has plenty of admirable qualities for a midfielder and could provide some traits that others lack at Liverpool.

At the age of 27, the Ivory Coast international is in the prime of his career. Therefore, he is the right kind of profile that Liverpool need; they have lots of young prospects and some players towards the latter years of their careers, but need more players at their peak.

Fofana might fit in, but only time will tell if he goes from being a possible Liverpool target to an actual Liverpool player.

Liverpool Seko Fofana