Chelsea FINALLY strike transfer deal for forgotten 'bomb squad' member

Suraj Radia

12 Sep 2024 12:45 CDT
3 min read

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Chelsea are continuing to work on resolving the future of one of their ‘bomb squad’ members after seeing a transfer fall through at the final hour for the player.

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The Blues have seen a staggering 40 players leave Stamford Bridge since the start of the summer, with a number of players such as Ben Chilwell still out in the cold and training away from Enzo Maresca’s first team.

Another one of those players is Datro David Fofana and the 21-year-old was in talks to join AEK Athens before the Greek transfer deadline yesterday.

However a deal could not be reached with AEK, with reports claiming that crucial parts of the loan could not be agreed on despite the presence of an optional buy clause, worth in excess of €20 million.

With the transfer window now closed in Greece, Chelsea were running out of options to find a club for Fofana but a deal is now understood to have been agreed with Turkish side Gozteke SK.

The loan will include an option to buy for a similar amount to the AEK deal but with a recall option in January for Chelsea.

© IMAGO - David Datro Fofana has had a difficult time since joining Chelsea last year

Chelsea still seeking resolution for Chilwell after Fofana deal

Fofana’s departure would provide some relief for Chelsea, who still are looking to trim down their squad and wage bill of players deemed unsuitable by Maresca for his squad.

The biggest issue for Chelsea now remains Chilwell, who has been unable to find any move away this summer despite being told he has no future at Stamford Bridge under Maresca.

Chilwell’s wages of around €200,000 have proven a stumbling block, while teams are also reluctant to move for a player who has had significant injury issues in recent times.

Current ETV

Ben Chilwell

D, M (L)

Chelsea

Ben Chilwell

D, M (L)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€14.4M - €24M

With the transfer window in Turkey still open for a number of days, Chilwell could theoretically find a move to the Super Lig, however sources have claimed that it would take a dramatic change for the England star to leave Stamford Bridge anytime soon.