The Chelsea misfit is back on the Parkhead agenda after impressing on loan in Turkey this season
14:19, 15 Jan 2026Updated 19:41, 15 Jan 2026
Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana has told Celtic exactly what he wants at his next club after the Glasgow giants revived their interest.
Fofana made the move to Stamford Bridge back in 2022 from Molde but has failed to make an impact on the first-team - spending time out on loan at Union Berlin, Burnley and Goztepe. The 22-year-old is currently on loan at Turkish Super Lig side Fatih Karagümrük, where he has found form by netting seven times in 14 matches.
Chelsea are keen to capitalise on that form by offloading the frontman permanently to free up and international loan slot. Fofana was thrust to the top of the Parkhead shopping list in the final hours of the summer transfer window after the collapse of the bid to land Kasper Dolberg.
However, he would look to remain in London and opted for a loan switch to Charlton, with a deal falling apart before the attacker was shipped out to Turkey. Speaking to journalist Rudy Galetti earlier this month, Fofana insisted he had learned from the whirlwind window.
Asked how he is approaching the January market, he said: “With calm and maturity. I’ve learned that football moves fast, but your focus must stay stable. My priority is to perform, help my team, and let football speak.”
As regards his next club - with Celtic and Derby County both said to be on alert - he is looking for a combination of stability, playing time and the right project: “A mix of all three. I want a project where trust, playing time, and ambition align. That’s where a player can truly express himself and grow.
“That I can be consistent, focused, and impactful over time. I know my journey hasn’t been simple, but I believe it has prepared me to be stronger now. I’m not trying to erase the past. I’m building from it.”
Martin O'Neill has openly admitted the Scottish champions are in need of recruits in the Premiership title fight with table-topping Hearts and a resurgent Rangers.
A striker is top of the list, with Lorient's Mohamed Bamba emerging as a target for a loan move with option to buy.
Ouest-France report that an injury crisis at the Ligue 1 is likely to see the brakes put on any deal, with the 24-year-old expected to be in the squad for Friday's clash with Monaco.
After the win over Falkirk, O'Neill has refused to rule out a swoop for Croatian hitman Franko Kovacevic.
NK Celje are said to value their star man at around £2.5million - but reports in Slovenia suggest there has been little concrete movement at this stage of the window.
Delo report that the club are "willing to sell" the 26-year-old amid escalating interest but are still awaiting a "formal offer." As it stands, the striker is part of Celje's training camp in Spain.