David Datro Fofana is to return to Chelsea.placeholder image
David Datro Fofana is to return to Chelsea. | Getty Images
Liam Rosenior is not expected to use the Chelsea forward in his first team plans with a transfer exit touted.
Chelsea are confirmed to have recalled striker David Datro Fofana from his loan spell at Turkish club Faith Karagümrük in the latest piece of transfer dealings at Stamford Bridge.
The 23-year-old scored eight goals in 15 appearances for the side this season but is to return to London. Fofana first joined Chelsea from Molde in January 2023 on a £8.4 million deal but has only ever made four first team appearances for the club.
Fofana has been sent on loan spells to Union Berlin, Burnley and Goztepe before heading to Turkey this season. There appeared to be no way back into the Chelsea first team under Enzo Maresca and that is still set to be the case with Liam Rosenior in charge.
Chelsea recall striker from loan spell
The recall of the forward comes with a permanent exit from Chelsea expected. The Express reports that the player’s next transfer is ‘imminent’ with the Premier League outfit keen to cash-in on the bagsman.
Writing on social media platform X on Monday, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano said: “Chelsea recall David Datro Fofana from loan as he’s set for new move in the upcoming days/weeks. #CFC and Fofana’s camp working on a permanent exit.”
Celtic and Derby County had been linked with interest in Fofana last week and it appears to be the Glasgow giants who are set to win the race. Martin O’Neill’s side are in the market for reinforcements with Shin Yamada and Kelechi Iheanacho struggling to fill the holes left by Adam Idah and Kyogo Furuhashi.
There is yet to be confirmation of an agreement between Celtic and Chelsea, but GiveMeSport have suggested that the Scottish Premiership side are frontrunners. Celtic had also been linked with West Ham man Callum Wilson, but the striker is now set to stay at the London Stadium after grabbing a late winner against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
David Datro Fofana linked with Celtic transfer
Fofana had been linked with a move to Celtic last summer but was reported to have snubbed the Glaswegian side in preference of staying closer to home. It appeared that a loan move to Charlton Athletic had been agreed but that collapsed at the final hurdle.
Fofana can play either as a traditional striker or as a winger. He has never scored for Chelsea but did bag four Premier League goals during his loan spell at Burnley. In a head-turning interview with Rudy Galetti this month, the forward even apologised to the Blues for never living up to his transfer fee. He said: “To Chelsea and their fans: thank you for believing in me, and I’m sorry I couldn’t give you the version of myself you deserved at that time.
“Today, I’m more grounded. I understand football better, but more importantly, I understand myself better. I’m calmer, more disciplined, and more aware of my responsibilities within a team.”
In other news, Chelsea could bag 'one of the most significant fees ever seen' as giants eye star who 'impressed' Rosenior.
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