Chelsea confirm Fofana and Santos transfer ahead of Man City clash

Phenomenal
Phenomenal
Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos

Mueez Ajao

– Datro Fofana from Molde and Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama.

– Fofana, 20, joins for a reported £8m-10m on a six-year deal until 2029, with the option to extend it by one year.

– Brazil Under-20s international Santos, 18, has joined for a reported £18m.

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– Chelsea have now made three signings in the January transfer window, following the arrival of France defender Benoit Badiashile for £35m from Monaco.

– Fofana scored 24 goals in 65 appearances for Norwegian champions Molde.

– “I’m very happy to sign for the club of my dreams,” he said.

– Chelsea described the forward, who joined Molde in 2021 from the Ivory Coast’s Amadou Diallo Football Academy, as “a prolific goalscorer and one of European football’s most promising young talents”.

– Fofana, who has three caps, recently made his first start for the Ivory Coast.

– “The Ivorian’s combination of pace, skill and strength make him a versatile striker, capable of scoring goals but especially adept at holding up the ball and retaining possession under pressure,” added Chelsea.

– Santos scored eight goals in 38 appearances for Vasco da Gama.

– He made his league debut aged 17 in 2021 before playing a key role in his side’s promotion back to the top flight in Brazil in the 2022 season.

– “It’s a very big opportunity for me,” he said. “This is a big club playing in big competitions like the Premier League so I am very excited.

– “The players here are so good and I am very happy to be here.”

– The Blues are also in talks with Benfica over a move for their Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 21, who has a £106m release clause.

– Graham Potter’s side are 10th in the Premier League after Thursday’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City and have a mounting injury list that includes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and forward Raheem Sterling.

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