Chelsea's Ivorian striker David Fofana is on the brink of a surprise Deadline Day move, with a season-long loan switch to Charlton Athletic now imminent.
The 21-year-old, who spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Union Berlin, has been recalled by the Blues and is now poised for a dramatic drop down to League One. The deal is understood to be a straight loan, with Charlton successfully fending off interest from other clubs to secure the highly-rated forward.
Addicks Pull Off Major Coup
This move represents a significant coup for Michael Appleton's Charlton, who are desperately seeking firepower to boost their push for the League One play-offs. Fofana, who arrived at Chelsea from Molde for £8 million just a year ago, will be expected to provide the goals needed to turn their season around.
His arrival at The Valley will be a major boost for the Addicks faithful, signalling serious ambition from the club's hierarchy on the final day of the transfer window.
A Change of Scenery for Fofana
Fofana's time in the Bundesliga was a mixed bag, making 17 appearances for Union Berlin but finding the net only twice. A move to the third tier of English football offers him a chance to rediscover his form and gain consistent, competitive minutes in a physical league.
For Chelsea, the priority is the player's development, and they believe a spell at Charlton, where he will be a focal point of the attack, is the perfect next step in his progression.
All paperwork is expected to be completed before the 11pm deadline, making Fofana the headline-grabbing signing of the day in the Football League.
