Youssouf Fofana: France midfielder at AC Milan linked with move to Besiktas in €23m deal

France international Youssouf Fofana, currently at AC Milan, has been linked with a summer move to Turkish side Besiktas as the Super Lig club explore a deal for the defensive midfielder. The probability of a transfer is currently rated at around 33%, with Besiktas monitoring the 27-year-old’s situation at San Siro.

Fofana joined Milan from Monaco on 17 August 2024 for a fee of €26m and is under contract with the Serie A club until 30 June 2028, meaning any deal would require Besiktas to negotiate a significant transfer fee. His current market value is listed at €23m, providing a reference point for talks as the Istanbul club assess whether they can match Milan’s valuation.

Since moving to Italy, Fofana has added Serie A experience to an already established top-flight career, having previously made 173 Ligue 1 appearances. He has also featured in both the Champions League and Europa League, giving Besiktas potential European pedigree should they push ahead with a bid.

The Paris-born midfielder has already collected silverware with Milan, lifting the Italian Super Cup in the 2024-25 season, and was a World Cup runner-up with France in 2022, further underlining his profile on the international stage. Primarily operating as a defensive midfielder and preferring his right foot, he would address a central role for any prospective new club.

For now, Fofana remains an AC Milan player with two years left on his deal, and the Italian side are under no immediate pressure to sell as Besiktas weigh up whether to turn initial interest into a formal offer.