Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal to sign young Ivorian striker David Datro Fofana from Norwegian club Molde in a deal worth $10 million. The 19-year-old forward has scored 22 goals in 39 appearances this year, making him one of the hottest prospects in Europe.The boy, who played for AFAD Djekanou in Abidjan before making the move to Erling Haaland’s former club, showed a lot of promise early on. Some of the biggest European clubs often scouted him, but Molde was the quickest to secure his signature in 2021 – albeit on a short-term contract.Chelsea are nearing the signing of 19-year-old Ivorian forward David Datro Fofana from Molde, per @FabrizioRomanoThis is why ♨️(via @Molde_FK) pic.twitter.com/d6Nif092dI— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 15, 2022 Fofana has one year left on his current deal with Molde but now looks set for a switch to west London. Personal terms are still being discussed between the player and the Blues, but a deal is expected to go through soon. It’s going to be an addition for the future, but we shouldn’t rule out Fofana playing this season – especially given the current attacking situation at Stamford Bridge. Armando Broja suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a friendly against Aston Villa, which weakened Graham Potter’s attacking options. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kai Havertz have both struggled for form this season, resulting in the Blues exploring possible striker options ahead of the January transfer window.##NAJAVA_MECA_6890661##The youngster has already earned his first cap for Ivory Coast, and his form this season for Molde has proved he has the ability and potential to develop into a top striker. Premier League rivals Liverpool were interested in the 19-year-old, but it seems the Blues have beaten the Reds to Fofana’s signing ahead of January.Chelsea are set to sign David Datro Fofana (19) from Molde for €10m… ✅ He has 15 goals in 19 starts in the Norwegian league this season. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/fqXtzT351o— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) December 15, 2022 And to make his story even more interesting, David Datro was born in Ouragahio in the south of Ivory Coast, a town of just over 30,000 people – but a town renowned as a nursery of top football talents. Barcelona’s midfielder Franck Kessie was born there. So was Nottingham Forest right-back Serge Aurier, Torino’s Wilfried Singo and Siriki Dembele, who plays for Bournemouth. It’s remarkable to see so many successful professionals come from such a tiny place.Fatoumata Diawara, l’artista de Mali nascuda a Ouragahio, a la Costa d’Ivori, canta a la seva mare, Djénéba Konaté, en aquesta cançó titulada ‘Mama’, un retrobament per festes recordant també al pare que ja no hi és, Bakari Diawara.Bon dia. pic.twitter.com/YYkSDXzR4C— Jordi Perales i Gimenez 朱迪 जोर्दी (@jordiedu) January 5, 2022 It should be noted that the famous Malian musician Fatoumata Diawara was also born in Ouragahio. It’s clearly a place of talented people, whether they sing, play the guitar or score goals. There must be something in the water over there.
