Chelsea transfer news: Striker 'in advanced talks' to exit Blues on permanent deal

Despite another relentless splurge on new talent throughout the summer transfer window, the Blues have gotten close to breaking even through sales and loan fees.

Club officials allegedly remain confident that they will comfortably comply with the relevant Premier League and UEFA financial regulations, helped by substantially reducing their wage bill.

Nevertheless, there remains players on their books who have no future at the club, one such situation being resolved last week through the sale of Angelo Gabriel to Al-Nassr.

While it appears that the likes of Ben Chilwell and Deivid Washington will have to wait until January to find a new club on a permanent or temporary basis, Chelsea look far closer to parting ways with David Datro Fofana.

Greek side keen to secure Fofana deal

According to Football Insider, Chelsea have managed to advance negotiations with Greek side AEK Athens.

The report suggests that there is a willingness on all sides for a transfer to be finalised before the closure of the Greek window on Wednesday.

As it stands, though, the two teams are yet to agree on a fee, with Chelsea having to compromise on what they receive up-front.

Co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital - who are at loggerheads behind the scenes - will allegedly be reliant on making a profit on the £8.4m that they shelled out in January 2023 through add-ons being activated.

However, it will seemingly be an allowance worth accepting if Fofana is given the chance to enhance his reputation elsewhere rather than his value dwindling through a lack of senior football.

A pointless move or good business?

Fofana has accumulated just 113 minutes across four appearances for Chelsea since being presented with an opportunity to leave Norwegian side Molde.

There was never any realistic prospect of the Ivorian rejecting that chance, nor was there that a player previously participating in the Eliteserien would become a household name in the Premier League.

That said, Fofana has been out on loan at Union Berlin and Burnley, contributing six goals and two assists from his 32 outings in the Bundesliga, Champions League and Premier League.

When loan fees and wage savings are factored in, Chelsea can claim that they have achieved their minimum objective through the deal.