David Datro Fofana’s move to Greek side AEK Athens can currently be considered off according to journalist Nizaar Kinsella.
Datro Fofana is one of a number of players the Blues were unable to move on before the deadline at the end of August and they have been exploring opportunities in the other markets that remain open, most notably Turkey and Greece.
The 21-year-old had loan spells at Union Berlin and Burnley last season, and there had been talk of him making a move to AEK Athens before the Greek Window closes on Wednesday night.
Datro Fofana’s move to AEK Athens off
It appeared a deal was progressing after it was reported AEK Athens sporting director Panagiotis Kone was at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.
However, Kinsella has provided an update on the situation which isn’t good news for Chelsea and the deal appears to be currently off.
He took to X.com and said:
“David Datro Fofana’s move to AEK Athens is currently considered off. The Greek club has struggled to meet Chelsea’s terms for the striker and Maccabi Haifa’s Frantzdy Pierrot being considered as an alternative. The transfer window in Greece closes on Wednesday night.”
🚨David Datro Fofana's move to AEK Athens is currently considered off. The Greek club has struggled to meet Chelsea's terms for the striker and Maccabi Haifa's Frantzdy Pierrot being considered as an alternative. The transfer window in Greece closes on Wednesday night. https://t.co/c8drTKAFSs
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) September 10, 2024
It now seems barring a very last minute change of circumstance that Datro Fofana’s only way out would be a move to Turkey, with their transfer window open until Friday.
The striker arrived at Stamford Bridge from Norwegian side Molde in January 2023, but hasn’t been given a chance in the first team and has only made four appearances for the club.
Datro Fofana scored two goals in 17 appearances whilst on loan at Union Berlin in the first half of last season and scored four in 15 appearances during the second half of the season at Burnley.
Quite what Chelsea will do with Ivorian if he remains at the club beyond this week remains to been, but if he doesn’t play any football until January that isn’t going to help generate anymore potential suitors.
If the Blues are that desperate to move the striker on they may have to alter their demands, but it seems Datro Fofana will continue to train away from the first team until a solution is reached.