Fofana arrived at San Siro two seasons ago for around €26 million from Monaco and quickly established himself in the middle of the park, but he no longer fits into new head coach Rubén Amorim's plans.
According to Foot Mercato, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Villarreal have each submitted contract offers to the 27-year-old, while Ipswich Town and Real Betis are also monitoring his situation closely.
The France international, capped 25 times by his country, has built his reputation on work rate, physical presence, ball-winning ability and tactical intelligence — qualities that made him a regular starter under three different AC Milan coaches before Amorim's arrival this summer.
His versatility across midfield positions and his consistency have kept him firmly on the radar of clubs well beyond Serie A, even after a collectively disappointing campaign that saw Milan finish fifth in the league.
Nottingham Forest, managed by Oliver Glasner, appear to be leading the chase and have already tabled a formal offer, but they face genuine competition from Crystal Palace, who are searching for midfield reinforcements with Cheick Doucouré still working his way back from a long-term injury.
Villarreal have also entered the race with an offer of their own, while Ipswich Town and Real Betis continue to run checks on the deal's feasibility without having made a formal move.
Milan, who will miss out on Champions League football entirely in 2026-27, are keen to raise funds and have set an asking price of between €18 million and €20 million for the midfielder.
Fofana developed at RC Strasbourg before making his name at Monaco, and has gone on to make 88 appearances for Milan since his move to Italy, adding to a career built on physical presence in the middle of the park.
With the club's hierarchy comfortable letting Fofana leave and multiple offers already on the table, his departure from San Siro looks increasingly likely before the market closes, with a decision on his next destination expected within days.