Chelsea have completed the signing of Ivory Coast star David Datro Fofana from Norwegian champions Molde, despite a last-ditch bid by the striker’s boyhood club to have the deal halted.
The Blues confirmed the 20-year-old, who hit 24 goals and registered 10 assists in 65 games for Molde, has signed a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2029, with the option of a further year. Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos joined for £18m from Vasco da Gama.
But Fofana’s move has sparked outrage at his first professional club, Abidjan City, who have written to FIFA claiming his original signing to Molde two years ago was fraudulent.
Club president Marco Taddei wrote: ‘We, therefore, invite you to intervene with the Chelsea club so that the player’s transfer is suspended until the dispute between the Molde FK club and ourselves is settled.’
Chelsea insist the player is fully registered with them and declined to comment.
Chelsea's transfer window so far
Fofana embodies Graham Potter's plans to sign new young talents to the club in the January transfer window and is one of three new signings at the club which includes 21-year-old Benoit Badiashile from Monaco and 18-year-old Andrey Santos.
But it seems, according to SportsMail, the Blues aren't done just yet as they look to strengthen their squad after Graham Potter has been dealt a cruel hand with a swathe of injuries taking over his side.
His injury list currently stands at around ten players, with Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic both suffering injuries during their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League on Thursday evening.
That list also includes key players Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell, Eduoard Mendy, Reece James, Armando Broja, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Wesley Fofana.
The London side are also in talks to compete with their rivals Arsenal to acquire long-running Gunners' target Mykhaylo Mudryk, with Chelsea keen to get an assurance from the Ukrainian that he wants to join the club before they enter an auction with Arsenal for him.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have also had a £112m bid for Benfica's Enzo Fernandes rejected as SportsMail understands the bid was set to be made in three installments of £37.3m over three years.
The Argentine forward was not included in Benfica's squad to play against Portimonense on Friday after it was confirmed by the club's boss Roger Schmidt that he had returned to his home country to celebrate new year.