Chelsea decide January signing’s fate as Fabrizio Romano reveals all on two Turkey moves
The immediate future of a Chelsea star signed just last month has been detailed, with one move involving Galatasaray now off and another very much on, per Fabrizio Romano.
The vast bulk of January transfer windows across Europe have closed. However, Turkey are among the exceptions, with their deadline for winter transfers not rolling around until Wednesday, February 8.
Turkish sides such as Galatasaray can still sign players from countries whose windows have already slammed shut. Obviously, that includes the Premier League.
Chelsea were being linked with a piece of business in that regard involving new frontman, David Datro Fofana.
The 20-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge from Norwegian side Molde at the beginning of the English window. Molde received around £8m for the Ivory Coast international.
Fofana plays primarily up front and has already featured twice for the Blues in cameos off the bench in the league and FA Cup.
However, with so many higher profile attackers at Graham Potter’s disposal, Fofana had drawn links with a loan move to Turkey.
Galatasaray were the primary club touted, though per Fabrizio Romano, a move will not take place.
The transfer guru tweeted Chelsea are currently ‘not negotiating’ with Galatasaray over a six-month loan for Fofana.
The centre-forward is ‘expected to stay’ in west London, though Galatasaray aren’t content to wind up empty-handed.
With a Fofana move now off, the Turkish giant are ramping up their efforts to land Tottenham, Leeds and Bournemouth target, Nicolo Zaniolo.
Zaniolo edging towards permanent Galatasaray switch
Roma put the Italy international, 23, up for sale once talks over a new contract were shelved. Bournemouth saw a bid of around £26m accepted by Roma, but Zaniolo snubbed the Cherries.
Tottenham’s interest subsided once they hijacked Everton’s loan deal for Arnaut Danjuma, while Leeds reportedly lodged an offer, per Gianluca Di Marzio, though a move did not come to pass.
The end result sees Zaniolo still stranded in Roma, though perhaps not for much longer.
Romano tweeted a new round of talks between Roma and Galatasaray will take place today (Monday). A €22m (approx. £19.6m) move for Zaniolo is the primary focus and personal terms with the player have already been agreed.
Zaniolo is described as wanting the move and if a breakthrough is made, he’ll join the Turkish heavyweight on a permanent move.
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