The race is on in Ligue 1 as OGC Nice and Toulouse go head-to-head for the signature of Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana.
The Ivorian forward, who joined the Blues in January 2023, is attracting serious interest in France — but Chelsea’s demands could complicate the deal.
Sources close to Stamford Bridge reveal that Chelsea are insisting on a one-off, permanent transfer for Fofana, rather than another loan spell.
The London club wants to cash in this summer as part of their ongoing squad overhaul, with the player not seen as part of new manager Enzo Maresca’s long-term plans.
Nice have been in direct talks with Chelsea for days, and while they admire Fofana’s raw pace and potential, they have concerns over matching the Premier League side’s full asking price.
Instead, the Riviera club has proposed a loan with an option to buy, allowing them to spread the financial hit.
Toulouse, meanwhile, have entered the conversation with a similar approach — exploring ways to structure a deal that avoids paying the full fee upfront.
Both French clubs believe Fofana could be a valuable addition to their attacks, with his ability to stretch defences and play off the shoulder of the last man.
Fofana spent last season on loan in LaLiga with Sevilla, where game time was limited, but his flashes of promise have kept him on the radar of European clubs.
Chelsea, however, remain firm: they want an outright sale.
That stance means the ball is now in Nice and Toulouse’s court to come up with a package that convinces the Blues to let the 21-year-old leave.
By Kenyans