Graham Potter offers update on when David Datro Fofana could make Chelsea debut

David Datro Fofana may have to wait for his Chelsea debut with the striker still waiting for clearance to play for his new club.

The Blues sealed a £8.6million deal to sign the 19-year-old from Molde over the festive period and was in the stands to watch his new side in action against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Graham Potter’s side have five games to play before the month is out in another hectic run of fixtures.

But the Chelsea boss says Fofana will not be rushed into action, planning to give him time to adapt to his new surroundings and get up to speed with the club also waiting on some final paperwork.

Potter also didn’t rule out the possibility of a short-term loan move for the Ivorian.

‘We still need to wait for the clearances and all those formalities,’ Potter told a press conference on Wednesday.

‘He’s been on a bit of a break so we’ll give him some time to train, to assess him, and then work out the best solution in terms of taking the next step in his career.’

Fofana is unlikely to be Chelsea’s last piece of business this month. Benoit Badiashile is set to seal a move to Stamford Bridge after the club agreed a £33million deal with Monaco.

The 21-year-old reportedly underwent a medical with the Blues on Monday and has agreed a six-and-a-half year deal with the Premier League side.

Chelsea are also in talks with Benfica over a move for Argentina star Enzo Fernandez. The 21-year-old is also thought to have agreed personal terms but the two sides remain in talks over a fee for the former River Plate youngster.

Chelsea are understood to have agreed in principle to pay £112 million, surpassing Fernandez’s £106m release clause but hope to pay in three yearly instalments.

Chelsea have also promised Shakhtar Donetsk they will pay whatever it takes to sign Mikhailo Mudryk, who is also wanted by Arsenal. The Gunners have already seen an opening offer rejected, with the Ukrainian side expected to dismiss their second offer, said to be worth £62m.

Chelsea have informed Shakhtar that would have little issue with meeting their valuation and are prepared to hijack a move for the Ukrainian star.

MORE : Frank Lebouef fears Chelsea are a ‘big mess’ amid Mikhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez transfer speculation

MORE : Chelsea promise Shakhtar Donetsk they will pay more than Arsenal to sign Mikhailo Mudryk

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.