Chelsea make David Datro Fofana transfer decision amid Galatasaray loan links

David Datro Fofana is set to remain at Chelsea for the rest of the season.

The Ivorian striker had been linked with a potential loan move to Super Lig leaders Galatasaray, with the mid-season transfer window in Turkey open until Wednesday evening.

However, Standard Sport understands - as first reported by Fabrizio Romano - that Chelsea are not willing to allow Fofana to depart this week.

The 20-year-old only arrived at Stamford Bridge from Molde in a £10million deal early last month after registering 24 goals in 65 appearances in Norway, penning a six-year contract until 2029 that includes the option for a further 12 months.

Though considered a signing for the future along with Brazilian teenage midfielder Andrey Santos, Fofana has already seen first-team action for Chelsea, coming on as a half-time substitute in the 4-0 FA Cup defeat at Manchester City and also having a late cameo in the goalless west London derby draw with Fulham on Friday night.

Fofana was one of the first arrivals in a major January spree that culminated in more than £323m being lavished by Chelsea on eight new players, including smashing the British transfer record with the £106.8m deal for Argentina's World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez.

Such spending came after Chelsea had already racked up a Premier League record £270m transfer bill over the summer in their first window under the new Boehly-Clearlake ownership regime.

But despite their significant outlay, the Blues are still not blessed with plenty of natural centre-forward options, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future at the club already in significant doubt after he was a surprise omission from their squad for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Manager Graham Potter will at least get Atletico Madrid loanee Joao Felix back from suspension in another London derby against West Ham on Saturday, while a deal has already been agreed with RB Leipzig for the summer signing of French forward Christopher Nkunku.