Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana has turned down the chance to join Celtic, with journalist Anthony Joseph reporting the Ivorian has instead agreed a loan move to Charlton Athletic.
For Celtic, this represents a new low in what has been a bruising transfer window. Having been linked with Fofana as a late solution to their striker shortage, the club have now lost out to a side competing in England’s third tier. The optics are damaging for a club of Celtic’s stature, underlining the extent to which recruitment has faltered this summer.
Brendan Rodgers had already seen his primary target Kasper Dolberg slip away to Ajax, while Adam Idah’s permanent move to Swansea City left a significant gap up front.
Fofana, though not a long-term answer, was identified as a player who could add energy and presence in attack. His decision to reject Celtic in favour of Charlton is a damning reflection on the Hoops’ current pulling power.
The Ivorian, 22, has found opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge and has spent recent seasons on loan at Burnley, Union Berlin and Göztepe. Despite his lack of top-level impact, he has still judged a switch to League One more appealing than a move to the Scottish champions.
For supporters, this latest rejection only compounds the sense of frustration surrounding a transfer window that has failed to deliver the reinforcements Rodgers publicly called for.
Missing out on players to Ajax or clubs in England’s top flight is one thing, but being overlooked in favour of Charlton Athletic makes this moment feel like rock bottom for Celtic’s recruitment.
