Celtic’s pursuit of Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana appears to be over, with Record Sport reporting that the Ivorian is unlikely to accept a loan move to the Scottish Premiership.
The development is the latest blow in what has been a frustrating deadline day for Brendan Rodgers and his recruitment team. Celtic had already suffered a setback when Kasper Dolberg opted against a switch to Glasgow, with the Danish striker now set to return to Ajax. Dolberg had been regarded as the top target to replace Adam Idah, who sealed a permanent £7 million move to Swansea City earlier in the day.
With Fofana now looking out of reach, Rodgers’ plans for reinforcing his attacking options are in serious jeopardy. The manager has been clear for weeks about the need to strengthen the frontline, but with two major targets gone and Idah no longer at the club, the Scottish champions face the prospect of heading into the new phase of the season short of firepower.
Fofana, 22, joined Chelsea in January 2023 but has barely featured for the first team. Instead, he has spent time on loan at Burnley, Union Berlin and Göztepe, with his pathway into Enzo Maresca’s squad effectively blocked.
Celtic viewed him as a player who could provide energy and presence up front, even on a temporary basis, but the striker’s reluctance to test himself in Scotland has scuppered those plans.
This latest update leaves Celtic scrambling in the final hours of the window. Unless a late alternative can be secured, Rodgers could be forced to continue without the additional striker he has been chasing all summer.
