Chelsea agree FIRST Deadline Day deal - Romano

Cameron Smith

2 Feb 2026 02:09 CST
3 min read

Chelsea have reached a full agreement to send David Datro Fofana on loan to sister club RC Strasbourg for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

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The Ivory Coast striker, who hasn’t played for his country since November 2022, was recalled by the Blues in early January following a promising temporary stint at Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk SK and they were eager to offload him on a permanent deal before the end of Transfer Deadline Day.

Current ETV

David Datro Fofana

F (C)

Chelsea

David Datro Fofana

F (C)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€6M - €8.2M

However, despite interest from numerous clubs across Europe, including Celtic and Derby County, Liam Rosenior’s have been unable to sell the 23-year-old.

As a result, a deal has now been agreed for him to join Strasbourg on loan following the recent injury setback suffered by Emmanuel Emegha.

That is according to football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano, who posted on X: “David Datro Fofana to RC Strasbourg, here we go! Deal done with documents approved.

“Despite interest from another French club and Mallorca, Datro Fofana leaves Chelsea on loan to join Strasbourg immediately. Key to help cover Emegha’s absence for next weeks.”

© IMAGO - David Datro Fofana has made four first-team appearances for Chelsea

David Datro Fofana to leave Chelsea

Fellow Ligue 1 club AJ Auxerre were also interested in a deal for Fofana, but they have officially missed out on his signature to Strasbourg.

As mentioned, Celtic were keen on signing the 23-year-old too, although they have instead added Tomas Cvancara on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach, while they are now in advanced talks over a Deadline Day deal for Freiburg’s Junior Adamu.

Fofana scored eight goals in 15 games for Fatih Karagumruk during the first half of the season, before being recalled by Chelsea in January, and Strasbourg will be the fifth different club he has joined on loan since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in January 2023.

He has made a total of four senior appearances for the Blues, but he hasn’t featured for the club since an eight-minute cameo versus Manchester United in May 2023.