Chelsea have confirmed that they have recalled David Datro Fofana from his loan spell at Goztepe SK, a move that could trigger a pair of departures from Stamford Bridge.
The 22-year-old is yet to make the grade in West London and was loaned out to the Turkish side in September, where he scored two goals in his first nine appearances for the club.
However, Datro Fofana - who made just three starts for Goztepe - then suffered a serious knee injury in December, one that is expected to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Following a report from BBC Sport last week claiming that Chelsea had recalled the Ivory Coast international, the Blues have now announced that he is indeed back in the English capital.
"Chelsea forward David Fofana has been recalled from his loan spell at Goztepe S.K," Chelsea said in a statement. "Fofana joined the Turkish Super Lig side in September and made nine appearances for the club. The 22-year-old scored twice, a stoppage-time winner against Sivasspor and in a 4-2 win away at Besiktas JK."
Fofana is not anticipated to return from his knee problem before the campaign is over, meaning that he will simply focus on his rehabilitation over the next few months before a decision is made on his immediate future this summer.
The striker joined the Blues in a £10m deal from Norwegian outfit Molde in January 2023 but has been restricted to just four senior appearances for the Blues, failing to register a single goal or assist in that time.
Datro Fofana has also endured mediocre loan spells with Union Berlin and Burnley since making the move to West London, and his Chelsea contract does not expire until the summer of 2029.
Could Fofana recall trigger double Chelsea exit?
© Imago
As reported by BBC Sport, Datro Fofana's recall serves a 'dual purpose', as Chelsea now have an extra space available to send another player out on loan to a foreign club.
That spot will seemingly be claimed by one of Joao Felix or Carney Chukwuemeka, the latter of whom is understood to be on his way to Borussia Dortmund for the remainder of the season.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have reportedly accepted a late loan offer from AC Milan for out-of-favour attacker Felix, whom the Blues are set to receive £5m in compensation for.
Chukwuemeka and Felix could be two of three senior departures for Enzo Maresca's men before the transfer deadline, as Crystal Palace are expected to announce the loan signing of Ben Chilwell imminently.
None of Chilwell, Felix or Chukwuemeka are expected to be named in Chelsea's squad for Monday's Premier League London derby with West Ham United, but the capital giants are not thought to have limited themselves to outgoings on deadline day.
A deal has supposedly been agreed for Saint-Etienne youngster Mathis Amougou, who will cost Maresca's side approximately €15m (£12.4m).
Ben Knapton
