Chelsea have confirmed that Molde striker David Datro Fofana will become Graham Potter’s first signing in charge, and their first January addition, joining the club when the winter transfer window opens.
The Ivorian striker, who is just 19-years-old, had previously been on the radar of Brighton, with an impressive 15 goals and 5 assists in 24 Norweigian top-flight outings in his most recent campaign.
The Blues have agreed to stump up a fee in excess of 10m euros for the talented teenager, who will head straight into the first team under Graham Potter.
It continues Chelsea’s recruitment drive for young talent, with the Blues having added young trio Carney Chukwuemeka, Omari Hutchinson and Cesare Casadei over the summer for a combined £30m.
They are also in talks to sign Armenian midfielder Arsen Zakharyan after a summer move fell through for the Zenit St Petersburg youngster, while jthey are also in talks over an £18m move for Brazilian youngster Andrey Santos.
Fofana, however, will be joining up with his new teammates in the coming days.
“The 20-year-old striker will join the Blues on 1 January 2023. We look forward to welcoming David to the club!”
With Armando Broja ruled out for the season and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang seemingly out of favour under Graham Potter, it is unlikely that Fofana will be Chelsea’s only forward addition this winter, with the likes of Memphis Depay, Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix all linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, the Blues are also progressing with a move for 21-year-old Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile after being priced out of a deal for Croatian star Josko Gvardiol.
A transfer worth £35m is reportedly in the closing stages to add what would be a fourth defender in Todd Boehly’s short ownership of the west London club, while they have also agreed a deal to bring Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
