Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana is set to join AEK Athens on loan, with a €20m buy option, according to Kieran Gill of the Daily Mail.
Fofana has been training with the outcast group throughout the summer, and several potential moves fell through during the transfer window. Now, the Greek transfer window remains the only viable option, and Chelsea has managed to finalize an agreement to send Fofana to AEK just in time.
The physical striker is expected to make an impact in Greece, where the competition level isn’t as high. With his strength and goal-scoring ability, Fofana could dominate defenders and potentially emerge as one of the standout players in the league.
However, AEK will not be competing in European competitions this season, as they were eliminated from the Conference League qualifiers by Noah, a team in Chelsea’s group.
For Chelsea, this deal appears beneficial. They can offload a player they don’t need, and if AEK activates the €20m buy option at the end of the season, the Blues could make a healthy profit.
The €20m buy option, though, seems highly unlikely. If Fofana excels, AEK might attempt to make the loan permanent, but the €20m fee is unrealistic unless he scores an extraordinary number of goals. For perspective, the Greek top-flight transfer record is €13.5m, set in 1999 for Zlatko Zahovic, and the biggest summer transfer this year was €7.25m.
While Chelsea may not see the €20m return, the €10m investment in Fofana from Molde could still turn a profit. A strong season in Greece could generate interest from other European clubs, potentially leading to a profitable sale next summer, but it’s unlikely to be with AEK Athens.
