Rarely is there a slow news day in the Chelsea world, especially in the crazy year of 2022.
Following confirmation of Armando Broja's ACL injury will rule him out for the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign, reports of the club's pursuit of a new striker have naturally grown.
To the shock of many on Thursday morning, Fabrizio Romano broke the story that the Blues are close to securing the signature of 19-year-old Molde striker Datro David Fofana. A deal is in place with the Norweigan club that produced Erling Haaland and personal terms are now being discussed with the Ivorian.
READ MORE: Chelsea set to complete David Datro Fofana as first January signing in £8.6m transfer
Exclusive: Chelsea are on the verge of signing David Datro Fofana, here we go soon! There’s full agreement in place with Molde to sign Ivorian striker born in 2002. #CFC
Personal terms are still being discussed with player — then deal will be signed for more than €10m fee. pic.twitter.com/LA6u4vZyPc— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)
The added spice to this story is that Brighton were reportedly close to signing Fofana in the last couple of months, only for Chelsea to come in and seemingly dramatically hijack that plan. Quite a reoccurring theme since September, with the Blues taking the head coach, coaching staff, Marc Cucurella, Paul Winstanley and now a big transfer target.
Fofana is a complete unknown to most Chelsea fans, but that is what makes this deal intriguing. It is a left-field act for Chelsea, aiming to snap up talent for a low fee before they make a move that likely doubles their price.
Take a look at Chelsea's large summer spending under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake ownership. Marc Cucurella cost up to £62million from Brighton when he could have cost significantly less from Getafe. Wesley Fofana was £70million from Leicester City when it could have been under £40million from Saint-Etienne.
That is probably was has helped lead the thinking behind a player that will cost Chelsea just over £8.6m, an incredibly low price for what the club usually pay in the transfer market.
Fofana moved to Molde from the Ivory Coast in 2021, scoring 17 goals in 29 appearances this year, and 24 in 65 appearances in total since joining.
The influence of Winstanley, who was announced as Chelsea's new Director of Global Talent and Transfers last month, might have been decisive here too, given his excellent work on the south coast with Brighton.
Chelsea potentially uncovering a gem at a lower price that offers great value is a tale that has been rare at Stamford Bridge across the past decade.
It is unclear whether Fofana will instantly make the jump up to the senior squad is he is signed in the new year, but these are the sorts of deals supporters have criticised the club for not making enough of, usually opting for the obvious name instead.
Boehly and Graham Potter hope this can start a positive trend.
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