Chelsea Scrambles to Find New Team for David Datro Fofana After AEK Athens Deal Falls Through

Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana’s move to AEK Athens has collapsed but he could still leave this month, talkSPORT understands.

Fofana was set to join on a season-long loan, but AEK changed the terms at the last minute and have placed the deal in serious doubt.

2

Initially, the deal contained a £20million purchase option and needed to be finalized before the Greek transfer window’s closure on September 11, although AEK made a last-minute modification.

However, Chelsea are still hopeful of loaning Fofana to a club in Turkey before their transfer window closes on September 18.

It would be the 21-year-old’s third since joining Chelsea for £8.4m from Norwegian side Molde in January 2023.

Last season, Fofana appeared 17 times for Union Berlin in Germany before he was called back in January and subsequently loaned to Burnley for the rest of the season.

The Ivorian has also featured four times for Chelsea.

Fofana’s potential departure from Stamford Bridge would mark the latest move in what has been a chaotic transfer window for Chelsea, as the club takes advantage of Greece’s extended window, which remains open after the British window closed on August 30.

The likes of Conor Gallagher, Romelu Lukaku, Raheem Sterling and Ian Maatsen have all departed to Atletico Madrid, Napoli, Arsenal and Aston Villa respectively.

2

Chelsea were incredibly active with incomings too as new Blues boss Enzo Maresca looked to make his mark on the squad.

Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tosin Adarabioyo and Jadon Sancho have all arrived this summer to add further competition.

Given the incomings in the attacking third, it looked highly unlikely Fofana would receive any playing time this season for Chelsea.

The Blues have had a mixed start to their Premier League campaign, picking up four points from three games.

An opening round defeat to defending champions Manchester City was followed by a resounding 6-2 thrashing of Wolves.

Chelsea went into the international break on the back of a 1-1 draw at home against Crystal Palace.

Maresca also oversaw the Blues’ safe passage into the Europa Conference League, beating Swiss side Servette 3-2 on aggregate in the play-offs.

Chelsea return to Premier League action on Saturday night with an away trip to Bournemouth.