Strasbourg ‘are eyeing loan move for Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana’ as the Ligue 1 club look to pounce on their new partnership after the Blues spent £53m to buy a majority stake in the French club
Strasbourg are ‘considering a loan move for Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana.’
It comes after the Blues bought a majority stake in the French side for £53 million, as they look to imitate Man City‘s multi-club network of 13 clubs.
Despite being one of the only centre forwards at Chelsea, Fofana made just four appearances for the club after joining from Molde in January.
The 20-year-old has been unable to build on an excellent start to his career in Norway, but could not now be given another chance away from Stamford Bridge.
According to reports in L’Equipe, Strasbourg’s director of recruitment Loic Desire has been watching the Ivory Coast international for some time, and is now considering a loan move following Chelsea’s takeover.
Strasbourg are ‘eyeing a loan deal or Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana’
It comes after Chelsea completed a majority takeover of the French club on Thursday
The French side hope the new investment will help turn them into a top eight side as well as improve all teams and the infrastructure across the club.
They finished 15th in Ligue 1 in 2022/23, just five points above the relegation zone, after a turbulent season that saw them employ three different managers.
There will be sharing of resources and expertise by Chelsea while the partnership will also allow them to use Strasbourg to help develop players, including those from overseas who might immediately be eligible to move straight to England.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has wanted a multi-club model for some time and had looked at clubs in a number of countries including Belgium, Portugal, Brazil before deciding on Strasbourg.
Speaking last September, the American said: ‘We’ve talked about having a multi-club model. I would love to continue to build out the footprint. There are different countries where there are advantages to having a club.
‘Our goal is to ensure pathways for our young stars to get on to the Chelsea pitch while getting them real game time. To do that is through another club in a really competitive league in Europe.’
Some Strasbourg fans seem less keen on the multi-club model, with ultras erecting a sign telling Boehly he was ‘not welcome’ at the club.
Todd Boehly has led the charge for Chelsea’s plans to adopt a multi-club approach
Strasbourg ultras displayed a sign that read ‘Boehly not welcome’ after Chelsea’s investment in the club
