Brighton join Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest in race for AC Milan outcast Fofana
Quick summary
Brighton have entered the race to sign AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana, joining Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest in pursuing the Frenchman.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceBrighton have registered an interest in Youssouf Fofana, becoming the third Premier League club linked with the Milan midfielder in recent days.
According to MilanNews.it , transfer journalist Luca Marchetti told Sky Sport 24 that the Seagulls have joined Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace in monitoring the France international.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 02: Youssouf Fofana of AC Milan runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Neil El Aynaoui of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Fofana among Milan players placed outside the squad Fofana was one of several players moved outside Ruben Amorim’s plans this summer, alongside Fikayo Tomori and Christopher Nkunku. The Portuguese coach’s 3-4-2-1 has reshaped Milan’s requirements in midfield, and the club have been working through a lengthy list of departures.
Nkunku’s exit was confirmed on Tuesday , the forward returning to RB Leipzig on loan until 30 June 2027 with an option to buy. Reports place the loan fee at €4m and the option at €28m.
Rafael Leao’s future has dominated the discussion at San Siro, with Aston Villa the latest club credited with interest, but Fofana’s situation is arguably the more straightforward given his exclusion from the squad. Nothing formal has yet arrived from any of his three English suitors.
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What happened
AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana, who has been frozen out at the San Siro, is attracting interest from multiple Premier League clubs. Brighton are the latest side to register their interest, joining Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest in monitoring the France international. Fofana joined Milan from Monaco in the summer of 2024 but has struggled for playing time and is now available for transfer. The bidding clubs are all seeking midfield reinforcements ahead of the window, with Fofana seen as a potentially attractive option given his quality and availability at a reduced price.
Chance analysis
Youssouf Fofana's fall from grace at Milan has become one of the more unexpected transfer stories of the window, with the France international unable to establish himself since his move from Monaco. Brighton's entrance into the race adds a third Premier League suitor and reflects the kind of opportunistic market in which English clubs thrive — picking up technically gifted players who have fallen out of favour abroad. For Fofana, a move to the Premier League would represent a reset after a difficult debut season in Italy, and the competition between Brighton, Palace, and Forest could drive up his price or, conversely, give Milan limited leverage in negotiations.
Fofana's departure would free up a midfield slot at Milan while giving whichever Premier League club signs him a significant reinforcement in central midfield.