Who is Datro Fofana? Things to know about the Chelsea target

Molde’s reputation as a talent factory was boosted by the emergence of a certain Erling Haaland, and the next gem set for an expensive move to the big leagues looks to be Ivory Coast international David Datro Fofana.

Known as Foffa, the 19-year-old is the subject of intense talks with Chelsea, who have surged ahead of a number of Premier League rivals in the race for his signature.

Here’s all you need to know about him.

Born in December 2002 in the Ivory Coast, Fofana’s first club was Abidjan City, who loaned him to local side AFAD in 2019. It was there that he began to impress European scouts, with French and Belgium clubs chasing his signature.

A deal with Ligue 1’s Angers looked to have been struck before Fofana opted for a move to Molde in Norway, believing he would be afforded a better chance of developing there than in France.

After joining Molde, he even moved into the apartment once occupied by Haaland.

“It is symbolic,” he told TV2 of literally following in Haaland’s shadow. “You say to yourself, ‘We started at the same place’. Tomorrow, I will be like him. What a player.”

After a slow start to life with Molde, Fofana exploded during the 2022 season as he racked up 15 goals in 24 games before the World Cup break.

Internationally, Fofana was called up to the Ivory Coast senior setup in 2020 to help make up the numbers at the time, before returning to the squad and making his debut in 2022.

Fofana has never hidden his desire to play in the Premier League, admitting that he would leave Molde in a heartbeat if the offer arrived.

“My favourite league is the English one,” he said. “I want to go to the Premier League. If I get there, I’ll never leave. I have to end up there. If Molde can send me directly to England, that’s fine with me. I can adapt to anything. I will succeed there. Then it’s over.”

The Ivorian has even previously admitted his desire to play for Chelsea, even if he does not really know where his love for the Blues came from.

“I don’t know why, but I want to play for Chelsea,” he confessed, in English, to Molde’s in-house media. “It’s a very good team. It’s in my heart.”

Scouts have labelled Fofana as a well-rounded player who is capable of doing a little bit of everything – something he puts down to his childhood playing in the streets.

“I was shaped in the streets. I’m not like the others, not educated. I am not a product of the academies, everything…