Union Berlin consider loan move for Chelsea striker Datro Fofana, Ligue 1 clubs also interested

Bundesliga club Union Berlin are considering a move for Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana, according to German news outlet Bild.

Chelsea paid around €12 million to sign Fofana in January, but the 20-year-old has been swiftly linked with a move away after finding playing time hard to come by.

Despite arriving at Stamford Bridge with plenty of promise, Fofana only made four appearances across all competitions last season.

Fofana bagged 24 goals and ten assists in 65 appearances during his two-year stint with Molde in the Norwegian top flight but couldn’t establish himself in the Chelsea first team.

The youngster was behind Kai Havertz, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Joao Felix in the pecking order, and a loan move could be what he needs to find his feet again.

Following a stellar Bundesliga campaign where they qualified for next season’s Champions League, Berlin are among several clubs considering a loan swoop for the promising striker.

Berlin currently have four strikers in their squad. But only Kevin Behrens is guaranteed to remain at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei this summer, so Fofana would add quality to their forward line.

The Chelsea youngster is also attracting interest from several Ligue 1 clubs, including Lille, OGC Nice and Strasbourg, who are now owned by the Premier League giants.

Turkish giants Galatasaray are also monitoring Fofana’s situation, with the Super Lig champions preparing to lose top scorer Mauro Icardi.

Fofana’s exit rumours have ramped up since Chelsea completed the signing of Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson who has agreed a stunning eight-year deal with the Blues.

Havertz and Romelu Lukaku are expected to leave Chelsea this summer, but Jackson’s arrival and Armando Broja’s return from injury may hinder Fofana’s hopes of securing first-team football.

Fofana could still be handed a chance to impress new manager Mauricio Pochettino in the pre-season, but there is a very high chance the youngster will spend the new campaign away from Stamford Bridge.