'Just a matter of time...' Liverpool target OPENS up on potential Reds transfer

Ahead of the summer transfer window, a lot of speculation is going around regarding potential Liverpool targets, but it is very rare that a player comes out and addresses the rumours directly.

Fans who are eager for the club to bring someone in might be able to identify a transfer hint from a player from time to time, perhaps an old picture of them wearing a Liverpool shirt, visiting Anfield or singing You'll Never Walk Alone.

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On the pitch, we might so occasional performances that are so extraordinary that they could be described as a come and get me plea, a display that club simply cannot ignore.

But it is almost unheard of that a player would directly talk about one of the club's that are reported admirers of him, perhaps in an effort to force a move in the future.

Yet in the case of Malick Fofana, Liverpool have a target who knows his self worth and is desperate to impress his potential future employers. The club might have no choice but to buy him now.

Left-winger is flattered by Liverpool's interest

It was reported earlier this week that Fofana has signed with a new agency to represent him, and he will now be working with Roc Nation, who will help facilitate any of his transfer or contract requests.

This was seen as a boost for Liverpool who already have a registered interest in him as a potential replacement for Luis Diaz on the left side of the pitch.

Furthermore, the 20-year-old, who has shone this season with 10 goals and five assists in 35 games, would not be under pressure to deliver straight away as Liverpool's first-choice, as he would be competing with Cody Gakpo for minutes on the pitch.

The Belgian international would be in the perfect environment to develop if he joined the Reds, and the change in representation might make things a little easier for Liverpool to convince him of a move.

However, no one could've expected him to outright address the rumours, but that is exactly what he did when he spoke exclusively to Football Insider during an interview this week.

He said: "Honestly, I hear about it [Liverpool and Arsenal's interest] but it doesn't affect me, so I just focus on myself, and I know when I do great that the rest will come.

"I watch a lot of the Premier League, I know there is a lot of big clubs, so for the moment, I just want to make that return on the pitch. In my head, I said to myself - 'this season I have to show myself to the world'. I know I am capable of that.

"I know my talents, I know what I can do, so it was just a matter of time. I know people will always talk - I stay calm, I have a great mentality, so I know it will come."

Of course, the Reds will still have a fight on their hands if Fofana is to be one of the club's incoming transfers this summer, Arsenal are already interested and the player is certainly keeping his options open.

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But he has only started 19 of the 35 appearances he has made for Lyon this season, fighting with the team's captain Corentin Tolisso and Rayan Cherki regularly playing in his position, so a route out of the French league might be exactly what he needs to kickstart his career. Liverpool could faciliate that.

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