Premier League giants Chelsea could net £20 million via the sale of David Datro Fofana with the former Burnley loanee agreeing to join Greek outfit AEK Athens on a loan-to-buy deal.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
The Greek transfer window closes on September 11, meaning AEK Athens have only hours remaining to get any outstanding business done.
Fortunately, progress is being made and quickly regarding a deal that will bring an end to David Datro Fofana’s forgettable stint at Stamford Bridge.
The three-time Ivory Coast international joined Chelsea from Norwegian outfit Molde back in December 2022. The £10.6 million signing would make only four appearances for the London outfit, however, struggling for opportunities despite the obvious lack of reliable number nines available at the time.
Chelsea ready to sell David Datro Fofana
Fofana then embarked upon a couple of hit-and-miss loan spells.
He was a massive disappointment in the Bundesliga at Union Berlin. Fofana scored only twice in 17 games, struggling to fill the boots of Taiwo Awoniyi following his departure to Nottingham Forest a few months earlier.
Fofana did enjoy a bit more success at Burnley – the best of his four goals a long-range thunderbolt against West Ham United – but his time at Turf Moor would end in relegation from the Premier League.
Despite the ongoing inconsistency of Nicolas Jackson, Fofana is not part of Enzo Maresca’s plans at Chelsea. He was part of a large group of players removed from first-team contention.
And after Trevoh Chalobah, Connor Gallagher and Raheem Sterling were offered escape routes by Crystal Palace, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal respectively, Fofana’s own fresh start comes in the shape of a loan-to-buy deal at AEK Athens.
HITC have been told that the Greek Super League outfit have agreed terms with Chelsea. Fofana will have an option-to-buy clause in his contract. One that, if triggered, will set AEK back £20 million and see Chelsea double their money.
That will also make Fofana comfortably the most expensive player in AEK’s history.
Former Burnley loanee is heading to AEK Athens in Greece
HITC understands that the 21-year-old had also turned down the chance to stay in England.
He was offered the opportunity to join Hull City on a temporary basis but rejected their advances, along with a number of other Championship clubs.
Stuttgart, Villarreal and Europa League winners Atalanta had also held talks.
“I prefer to be honest with players,” Maresca told BBC Sport back in August when addressing those stuck in the so-called Chelsea bomb squad. “The ones who are not involved are not going to be involved and they won’t get any minutes if they stay.
“I don’t know what happens when the window closes if they are still here. The ones who will get minutes are the ones I think can help us.
“The rest are training apart. They are not going to get minutes. I have been clear and honest with them.”
Another player who could leave Chelsea in the very near future is Ben Chilwell.
The out-of-favour left-back has slipped behind Marc Cucurella in Maresca’s pecking order. Istanbul-based trio Galatasaray, Besiktas and Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce have all held talks, with the Turkish transfer window staying open until September 13th.
Besiktas had already tried to sign Chelsea youngster Angelo Gabriel before his switch to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
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