Who Chelsea would need to sell to make £50m Lyon deal happen next summer | OneFootball

Chelsea have been linked once again with Malick Fofana of Lyon.

The Belgian, considered one of Ligue 1’s best talents, had strong links to the Blues and to Liverpool in the summer, but ended up staying put in France. It’s always felt like a temporary stay however, especially if he has another great season this time out.

Wide options still open in Enzo Maresca’s squad

Enzo Maresca with Alejandro Garnacho. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Chelsea have had a lot of turnover out wide, changing out 3 of their wide options in a single summer. They’ve brought in a number of players which seemed to preclude the possibility of Fofana joining. Although, perhaps that’s an argument that is actually in favour of them making another addition. Clearly they’re happy to keep spinning players off for profit if and when they can, continually rolling the dice until they find a better option.

If Fofana is on the market for £50m, as is claimed in this CaughtOffside report, we can see Chelsea making a move next summer if they sell on one of their current options. But who would go?

Chelsea’s potential sale options to create room for Fofana

The likes of Estevao and Pedro Neto are so much in favour with Enzo Maresca that it’s impossible to imagine them being sold.

Jamie Gittens is a project – and the problem with selling him now is that we won’t get close to the £50m we paid. He will have to have a few very good years before that becomes realistic.

Alejandro Garnacho’s Chelsea career has barely begun so we don’t want to start speculating about a departure, but he is an obvious candidate to be sold for profit in a year or two if he does well, given we paid a more reasonable £40m for him.

Tyrique George is almost certain to go, having seen a last minute move to Fulham fall through in the summer. But still, £22m-odd for him won’t even cover half Fofana. Another sale will be needed, and right now we don’t see who that would be.