It's claimed Liverpool has made Malick Fofana its top target to replace Federico Chiesa, who could leave Anfield after just one season with the club.

Chiesa was viewed as an opportunistic signing by the Reds last summer due to his modest transfer fee, but he did not start a meaningful game in either the Premier League or the Champions League.

If he leaves — amid interest from clubs in Italy — Liverpool is said to be considering Fofana as a replacement, with Sky Sports in Switzerland saying that the club is "genuinely interested" in the 20-year-old, whose situation is also being monitored by Chelsea.

Liverpool's chief scout, Barry Hunter, is said to have earmarked Fofana as the number one target, but it is reported that Chiesa must first be offloaded before a deal can be done.

Slot’s next big target: Liverpool prepare ambitious move for ‘world-class’ star to replace 18-goal ace	Liverpool identify Federico Chiesa replacement	Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa and Victor Osimhen | Transfer Insight w/Carlo Garganese

Lyon values Fofana at €50 million ($58 million), but the French club is hopeful that a bidding war could drive his price even higher than that.

If Fofana were to join Liverpool, he would likely start out as a back-up to Luis Diaz, who is expected to remain on Merseyside despite interest from Barcelona as well as clubs in Saudi Arabia.

Who is Malick Fofana.

Fofana was born in the Belgian city of Aalst, and has represented his country at Under-15, Under-17, United-18, Under-20 and Under-21 levels.

He was handed his first and only senior cap last October as he emerged as a late substitute in a Nations League game between Belgium and Italy.

Fofana was picked up by Belgian team Eendracht Aalst as a child before making the move to Gent's academy in 2014; Fofana stayed with Gent for 10 years, leaving last summer to join Lyon.

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Malick Fofana of Lyon is on Liverpool's transfer radar

Fofana made 41 appearances in all competitions for Lyon this season, with 23 of them coming as starts, scoring 11 goals and registering six assists.

Fofana has received high praise for his quality since moving to Lyon, with ex-Lyon manager Pierre Sage, who was replaced midway through this season, saying: "He's a player who's at the very high level in his mentality, but he will have to string together these sorts of matches, then he will have a very, very good future."

Sage also said of Fofana: "He's quick, he's skilful, and he's not afraid to take risks

He's already made a big impression on the team, and I'm sure he'll continue to improve and develop in the years to come."

Former teammate Cherki, meanwhile, said of Fofana: "I like everything about him, he's good, kind, not very handsome (laughs) but who cares
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