Chelsea have begun their FIFA Club World Cup campaign while long-term planning still goes on behind the scenes.
Enzo Maresca’s side saw Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr added in the first ten-day transfer window at the start of June. That was to allow the players to join in time for the tournament.
There were also failed moves for Mike Maignan and Jamie Gittens, the latter being the subject of two rejected bids below Borussia Dortmund’s £50 million evaluations.
So, whilst they missed the cut-off to arrive in time for the Club World Cup, the window has since reopened and new players will be eligible for registration for the knockout stages so long as it is all finalised between June 27 and July 3.
And based on the latest reports, the Blues are still intent on the capture of a winger with both current and long-term prospects in mind.
Here, football.london analyses the latest transfer news and rumours around Stamford Bridge.
Malick Fofana contact
In an exciting development from French publication L’Equipe, it is claimed the Blues have made initial contact with Lyon over the signing of 20-year-old winger Malick Fofana.
The Belgian international made 41 appearances last term, scoring 11 goals and assisting six times.
They are now supposedly ready cash in on their starlet for €50m (£42.5m), when they signed him only a year ago for €19m (£16m). That fee Chelsea would have to pay of course matches the rejected offer for Gittens in the first ten days of the month.
‘Other clubs’, left unnamed but for Nottingham Forest, are also interested with the rest of the summer ahead.
football.london says: If Chelsea’s strategy is to sign the most talented young footballers from across the globe, Fofana certainly fits that bill. Not many are trusted as a senior starter at club level at the age of 20, nor to make their international debut. He’s proven he has what it takes to make it at the highest level with his eye for both goals and chance creation.
Agent’s verdict
Chelsea certainly aren’t the only club to have been linked with this talented player and if they do not move quickly, they probably won’t be the last.
Premier League rivals Liverpool and Newcastle United have been linked in the past, particularly because his agent, Bobo Fofana, has outright mentioned them in an interview.
Via Africafoot, he said Anfield would be the choice of heart but St. James’ Park would be the sensible option.
But with the Blues seemingly pressing ahead instead, they have already been handed a confidence-boosting assessment from the agent.
“He has the profile to succeed in the Premier League. He possesses qualities similar to those of Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, namely speed, impact, and the ability to create opportunities,” Bobo added.
“There’s no doubt he can make a splash. For him, this would be an opportunity to continue his development and, above all, to showcase his talent in a league that favours transitional play.
“However, he’ll have to choose the right club, as competition is fierce across the Channel.”
football.london says: This is great to hear from a Chelsea perspective but as we all know, actions speak louder than words. That is why we must refer to the UEFA Europa League quarter finals, when Man United vs Lyon went into extra-time. Fofana emerged from the bench and ran rings around the home side’s defence at Old Trafford, helping his side go 4-2 up on the night before their historic collapse. He has already backed up his agent and proven he can do it here in England.
