Lyon star Malick Fofana was right to turn down an approach from Everton this summer, particularly with the World Cup on the horizon.

That’s according to Nordin Jbari, speaking to Africa Foot. He believes the Belgian winger can afford to wait for another club to come along.

Everton were keen on the Lyon winger in the summer transfer window. Indeed, several reports in France and England made it clear they’d made moves for him and spoken to his agent.

Fofana eventually rejected the proposal, preferring to wait for more attractive offers. He had previously been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.

Everton being snubbed didn’t lead to bigger transfer

Such a move never happened, and he ended up staying at Lyon. Everton, for their part, went on to sign Tyler Dibling from Southampton. They’re unlikely to return for Fofana any time soon, but Jbari believes he was right to turn them down.

“He still has time. I wouldn’t be surprised if clubs, especially English ones, wanted to sign him during the winter transfer window,” he said.

“I don’t think now would be the time to leave, especially just a few months before the World Cup, which...