Milan frustrated as €12m Fofana deal with Lyon collapses, Besiktas move looms
Quick summary
AC Milan are reportedly furious after their €12m move for Lyon midfielder Youssouf Fofana fell through, with the player now expected to join Turkish side Besiktas instead.
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Attributed to original sourceMilan are furious with Olympique Lyonnais, because the Youssouf Fofana move failed due to trouble selling Malick Fofana to the Premier League, so now Besiktas are back in the running.
In an extraordinary twist, the Rossoneri thought that they had sealed the departure of Youssouf Fofana to Olympique Lyonnais.
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 28: Ruben Amorim, Manager of AC Milan, looks on before the Serie A match between AC Milan and Venezia FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 28, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) The player had already signed the contract, making the move on loan for €2m with an option to buy at the end of the season for another €12m.
However, Lyon could not register the new player until they had first managed to sell Malick Fofana.
Youssouf Fofana stuck at Milan PARMA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 08: Youssouf Fofana of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AC Milan at Stadio Ennio Tardini on November 08, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) That situation dragged on all day, with Sunderland and Crystal Palace constantly battling to one-up each other on personal terms and fee, leaving the player waiting to see which plane he would board.
The deadline to buy new players in Ligue 1 was 19.00 UK time (20.00 CEST) and that has now passed with no registration for Youssouf Fofana.
Lyon can still sell Malick Fofana, as the Premier League transfer deadline isn’t until midnight, but are not in a position to sign a replacement.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 08: Youssouf Fofana of AC Milan battles for possession with Johan Vasquez of Genoa during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) That means Milan are stuck with the midfielder, but they do still have hope, as the Turkish transfer market remains open for another four days.
Besiktas had been determined to get the France international anyway before he preferred Lyon, so are more than ready to get back into the race.
Galatasaray and Fenerbahce had also shown an interest.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 27: Fikayo Tomori of England looks on during the warm up prior to the international friendly match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Milan have also so far failed to find new clubs for Warren Bondo and Fikayo Tomori , with the latter’s negotiations for Fulham falling apart.
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What happened
AC Milan had agreed a €12m deal with Lyon to sign French midfielder Youssouf Fofana, but the transfer reportedly collapsed at the final stage, leaving the Serie A club frustrated. Fofana, who had been a long-standing midfield target for Milan, appears set to join Turkish Süper Lig side Besiktas instead. The failed negotiation comes as Milan look to reinforce their midfield options ahead of the new season, and the breakdown highlights ongoing difficulties in the club's transfer strategy.
Chance analysis
Milan's collapse of a seemingly agreed €12m deal for Youssouf Fofana is a notable blow to their midfield recruitment plans. The French international was one of their priority targets, and losing him to Turkish side Besiktas raises questions about the club's negotiating structure and ability to close deals in a competitive market. With midfield reinforcement a clear need for the Rossoneri, the focus now shifts to whether they can pivot to alternative targets before the window closes.
Milan miss out on a key midfield target and must now seek alternatives, while Besiktas could gain a significant midfield addition.