Chelsea interested in Liverpool target Youssouf Fofana

Chelsea are interested in signing AS Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana, who has also caught the attention of Liverpool.

According to the Daily Mail, the 24-year-old Frenchman is emerging as a viable option for the Blues as they look to strengthen their squad this summer.

Fofana has one year left on his contract with the French club and could be available for a transfer this summer.

He has made 135 appearances for Monaco, bagging three goals and ten assists. He has made 42 appearances, scoring twice and providing one assist this season.

Chelsea know Fofana well thanks to their co-sporting director Laurence Stuart, who joined from Monaco last October.

Fofana is not yet a finished product. He has the potential to become a top player under the proper guidance.

Fofana’s journey to professional football has been an inspiring one. France’s national academy in Clairefontaine dropped him at 15.

Fofana had to deliver pizzas to make ends meet. But Strasbourg gave him a second chance after spotting him playing amateur football. He has since established himself at Monaco.

The Blues also have an eye on Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, but Manchester City inserted a buyback clause in his deal.

However, the London club must clear out some players first to reduce their squad size for incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Hakim Ziyech, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could leave.

Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ethan Ampadu, Dujon Sterling, Christian Pulisic, Cesar Azpilicueta, Malang Sarr and Abdul Baba Rahman are also on the departure shortlist.

Ian Maatsen, Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei, Gabriel Slonina, Bashir Humphreys, Omari Hutchinson, David Datro Fofana and Armando Broja need to go on loan for game time.

Fofana could be a valuable addition to Chelsea’s midfield, bringing energy and drive.

The only question remains his profile. He is a box-to-box midfielder, while Chelsea need someone to sit in front of the defence.