Done Deal: summer target is set with £20m option agreed
David Datro Fofana, a forward for Chelsea, is very close to joining AEK Athens after having linked with Hull City and Sunderland. The Independent claims that the 21-year-old will sign a £20 million option to buy when he joins the Greek team on loan. Fofana played 15 league games in the top flight while on loan at Burnley during the second half of the previous season (all stats courtesy of Fbref). Fofana scored four goals during that time. But he hasn’t been able to get a spot in Chelsea’s first squad under Enzo Maresca, which has raised questions about his future. In the summer of 2023, Fofana left Norwegian team Molde to sign an £8.4 million contract with the Blues. According to Fbref.com, David Datro Fofana has 2023–24 league goals and appearances.
Hull Live first reported in August that the Tigers and Chelsea were almost ready to reach an agreement for the Ivorian. The Black Cats were reportedly considering signing the young player on loan for this season, according to Sunderland Nation. However, Fofana is getting closer to moving to Greece while the transfer window for the European league is still open. Since the English transfer window has ended, Sunderland and Hull will not be able to sign the player.
The terms of the deal between Chelsea and AEK Athens make clear the kind of bid that Hull and Sunderland had to make to sign the forward. Given that neither side can guarantee they will have the money by 2025, committing to a £20 million purchase option is unreasonable at this point. After looking for a forward all summer, the Black Cats signed Wilson Isidor on loan from Zenit St Petersburg after failing to find a permanent option. Earlier in the summer, Hull was able to sign Chris Bdeia on loan from Union Berlin and sign Mason Burstow from Chelsea. Hull and Sunderland’s Championship league standings Sunderland has ignited a thrilling start tothe team’s new number nine, Eliezer Mayenda, who will take over in the Championship season. With four wins from four games, his two goals and two assists have made the team the only team remaining in the division with a perfect record. Tim Walter’s team hasn’t had as successful of a start to the season as the Tigers, who are currently 19th in the rankings and have lost all of their first league games. Hull’s next match comes on Friday night at home against Sheffield United, while Sunderland travels to Plymouth Argyle on September 14.