Chelsea are reportedly close to sealing a deal for Molde wonderkid David Datro Fofana as Graham Potter aims to secure his first Stamford Bridge signing.
The former Brighton coach was appointed as Thomas Tuchel’s successor in West London back in September and with the January window opening next month, he has an opportunity to sign some players. One position that they look set to target is in attack.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang completed a move to Chelsea in the summer from Barcelona with his back-up Armando Broja having sustained a serious knee injury. The Albanian forward picked up the problem in the mid-season friendly with Premier League rivals Aston Villa.
Amid his injury, Chelsea have already been attempting to seal his potential replacement. As per The Athletic, negotiations with Molde are advanced for the signing of 19-year-old forward Fofana.
Reports have it a €10million (£8.6million) has been discussed with the young striker looking sure to become a Chelsea player.
After progressing through the Norwegian club’s system, he has gone on to score 21 goals for the Eliteserien side throughout the current campaign and helped the club to the league title.
He is just the latest in a long line of talented players to come out of the club. The most noteworthy is surely Erling Haaland, who progressed through the club’s youth system, developing his goalscoring reputation before moving to Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.
He left to join Borussia Dortmund before sealing his move to the Etihad Stadium in the summer. It remains to be seen if Fofana would be in immediate first-team contention once he moves to Chelsea.
He has already revealed that he is a big fan of the Blues, admitting that a move to the club would be a dream. Speaking to TV2 earlier this year, the Ivorian forward said:
“Chelsea have been my favourite club since I was little. Drogba played there, so they have always been my club. So it’s my dream.”
Fofana currently has two years left to run on his current contract with Molde having joined from Ivorian side Abidjan City in the summer of 2019 as a 16-year-old. He would be Chelsea’s first signing of the winter window with new boss Todd Boehly having spent heavily in the summer.
Fofana is not expected to be the only arrival with the Blues having also put a deal in place to sign RB Leipzig sensation Christopher Nkunku following his exhilarating performances for the German side this season. The plan reportedly remains for Nkunku to complete a move in June as a further addition after landing Fofana.
The Blues forked out approximately just under £280m throughout the summer with the likes of Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly having been signed for considerable fees.
