Graham Potter is set to make his first signing as Chelsea manager with the club closing in on a deal for Molde forward David Datro Fofana.
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Todd Boehly appointed the former Brighton manager in September but Potter has so far been forced to work with the squad he inherited from Thomas Tuchel.
Ivory Coast international Fofana has scored 21 goals and provided seven assists for Molde this campaign and will arrive next month to help bolster Potter’s options in attack.
According to Fabrizio Romano, personal terms are yet to be agreed with the 19-year-old striker but negotiations are expected to be a formality before the completion of a deal that will be worth over €10m.
Chelsea allowed Romelu Lukaku to rejoin Inter Milan on loan in the summer after the breakdown in his relationship with Tuchel.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was signed as a short-term replacement but the former Arsenal skipper’s form deteriorated after a good start, while Potter appears unwilling to build his forward line around a false nine in Kai Havertz.
Armando Broja had shown flashes of promise, but the Albania international is set to miss the rest of the campaign after suffering a curciate knee ligament injury during last Sunday’s friendly game against Aston Villa.
‘Scan results…have unfortunately confirmed an anterior cruciate ligament rupture and that surgery will be required,’ read a statement published on Chelsea’s official website on Wednesday.
‘Following the operation, Armando will work closely with the club’s medical department during his rehabilitation and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign.’
Reacting to the confirmation of his lengthy lay-off, Broja said: ‘I’m devastated to be ending 2022 in this way.
‘It’s been difficult to process everything over the past few days, but I am determined to come back even stronger and better than before.
‘Everyone has there own journey to the top, this is just a minor setback for the good things to come in the future.
‘Thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support. It means a lot. I appreciate them all. I will be back soon.’
