Sevilla 'closing in on Chelsea forward David Datro Fofana'

At the start of 2023, Fofana departed Molde to sign for Chelsea in a £10.6m deal, the player immediately finding himself thrust into the limelight with an appearance against Manchester City in the FA Cup.

However, just 68 minutes in the Premier League followed during the remainder of the campaign, and it came as no surprise when the Ivorian was allowed to go out on loan in the summer.

Union Berlin won the race for the 21-year-old's signature and have since provided him with regular game time in the Bundesliga and the Champions League.

Fofana has largely failed to make an impact, though, with just two goals coming in 10 starts and six substitute outings, both strikes being netted during his last five outings.

Nevertheless, despite seemingly growing into his role and with a new head coach in Nenad Bjelica in charge, it appears that he will soon be changing clubs.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Sevilla are in prime position to take over the loan agreement that Chelsea have in place with Union Berlin.

A temporary deal is said to be on the brink of completion with Fofana also being left out of the squad for the friendly with Arminia on Saturday.

Sevilla have been in the market for new players courtesy of sitting in 16th position in the La Liga standings, collecting just 16 points from 19 matches.

With the club also out of Europe, Quique Sanchez Flores has been appointed as head coach in an effort to instigate an upturn in fortunes, the initial priority being to avoid a relegation scrap at a time that they sit just one point above the bottom three in La Liga.

Only Youssef En-Nesyri has scored more than twice in Spain's top flight, with five other players netting two goals apiece.

The Evening Standard adds that Sevilla are prioritising the addition of younger players to lower the age of their squad, with many of their regular players either approaching 30 years of age or over it.

Sevilla will hope to have Fofana available for their showdown with Alaves on January 12, their opponents sitting one point above them in 15th spot.