Leicester City have been linked with a move for Chelsea's David Datro Fofana as they step up their striker hunt with time ticking down on the January transfer window
Jordan Blackwell
07:00, 22 Jan 2026
David Datro Fofana on his Chelsea debut against Manchester City in January 2023
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David Datro Fofana on his Chelsea debut against Manchester City in January 2023(Image: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Leicester City could be priced out of a move for Chelsea’s David Datro Fofana after links to the Ivorian striker emerged.
Fofana has been recalled by Chelsea from a loan spell at Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk ahead of a sale this month.
The 23-year-old should have plenty of suitors after a strong few months in Turkey, scoring eight goals in 15 games in all competitions for Karagumruk, despite the club sitting bottom of the Super Lig.
It’s not the first time City have been linked to Fofana, with supposed interest first emerging in the summer of 2024, when they sold Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Stamford Bridge.
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The Evening Standard have named City as one of the sides taking a look at Fofana as Chelsea get set to sell.
However, this season, City have not paid any transfer fees for signings and had been looking in the free agent and loan markets as they try to bring in a striker this month.
There are suggestions that Chelsea will try to recoup as much of the £10m they paid Molde for Fofana a few years ago when they sell him this month, and at that price City would likely be out of the running.
City are desperate for more firepower with Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka having scored just four non-penalty goals between them in the Championship this season, and with ties cut with Julian Carranza following a goalless spell for the Feyenoord loanee.
A move for free agent Michail Antonio broke down when he suffered an injury in training at Seagrave, while the club have been linked with the joint-top scorer in Sweden, Ibrahim Diabate, in recent days, although Cifuentes has hinted at doubts over the 26-year-old making an immediate impact if he did sign.
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