Beşiktaş Eye Fofana as Milan Ask for €20M

Beşiktaş's New Midfield Target: Fofana

According to Corriere dello Sport, Beşiktaş are interested in Milan's French midfielder Youssouf Fofana. The Italian club is reportedly asking for around €20 million for the 27-year-old.

The Numbers Behind Fofana: A Balanced Serie A Presence

According to StatsLook data, Fofana made 33 appearances for Milan in the 2025/2026 Serie A season, contributing 2 goals and 3 assists. His average rating of 6.79 placed him in the top 47% at his position — a solid, above-average showing.

Looking at his per-90 numbers, Fofana ranks 1st among Serie A defensive midfielders in through balls (0.41 per 90). He also ranks 3rd in the league in key passes (1.46 per 90) and 3rd in expected goals (0.16 xG per 90), showing he offers more than just defensive balance — he contributes to attacking play too. His placement in shots on target (0.73 per 90, 2nd in the league) is also notable.

He ranks more in the middle of the pack in volume metrics like total touches (29th) and accurate passes (29th). His defensive numbers show a similar pattern: solid in tackles (17th, 1.66 per 90) but lower in duels won (27th) and ball recoveries (28th).

What This Means for Beşiktaş

The numbers suggest Fofana isn't a classic box-to-box midfielder, but rather a defensive midfielder whose value lies more in progressive passing and creativity. His league-leading through-ball numbers and strong key-pass output suggest he could be a solid option for advancing play through midfield.

This article is based on reporting from Corriere dello Sport. Statistics sourced from the StatsLook database.